England have lost Marcus Trescothick who has left Australia returning home from England's Ashes tour after suffering a recurrence of a stress-related illness. With less than nine days to go before this year’s Ashes it will be seen as a huge blow to preparations however it does simplify team selection.

Duncan Fletcher commented "We are naturally disappointed to lose a player of his quality from our Ashes squad, everyone in the dressing room hopes that he is able to make a full recovery and resume his cricketing career."

Unfortunately Trescothick’s start to the tour was a forgettable one, failing in both outings against the Prime Minister's XI in Canberra on Friday and New South Wales in Sydney scoring just two and eight respect’.

Despite hitting a ton against Sri Lanka in May he struggled with the illness that first appeared during a tour to India earlier in the year and although he scored well in one day internationals he failed miserably against Pakistan and pulled out of the recent ICC Champions Trophy. Trescothick announces he's back to full fitness

He had hoped that the darker days were behind him and made himself available for the Ashes tour but last week he admitted he fell out of love with cricket for a time but said, "I feel good - I'm itching to get going."

"Having watched the guys out in India, the excitement when the team gets a wicket, I want to get back out there. When you've have had a rest it rekindles the buzz you've longed for all your career."

Trescothick’s departure leaves the door wide open for Alastair Cook to partner Andrew Strauss at the top with Collingwood coming in as a second all rounder; Bell will more than likely fit in at number three. Whatever the outcome England’s batting lineup hasn’t lost any momentum and the bowling attack has gained another variation with Collingwood.

Only time will tell if the Somerset opener will make it back into the England set up and after 76 Test appearances at an average of 43.8 he may have played his last senior game for the three lions.

Chief executive Richard Gould described him as "one of the most talented players the county has ever produced, it is evident Marcus needs more time and space to recover. "Somerset CCC will work with the ECB in order to ensure that he is provided with everything he needs."