FORMER England captain Michael Vaughan believes Marcus Trescothick will continue to be one of county cricket’s most devastating domestic performers despite the reoccurrence of his stressrelated illness.

Together the pair formed one of England’s most successful opening partnerships in recent memory and Vaughan, who remains close friends with the Somerset batsman, does not think his early departure from the Champions League in India will have any impact on his domestic form.

Trescothick, who has agreed to take over the county’s captaincy from Justin Langer in 2010, was first troubled by the illness on England’s tour of India in 2005-06 and then quit the following winter’s Ashes trip just two weeks after leaving home.

It eventually forced him into international retirement, but a set of special measures put in place by Somerset had led to hopes he could spearhead their drive for success in the lucrative Twenty20 league.

Vaughan said: ‘‘Marcus deserves a huge amount of credit, it was a courageous decision for him even to try and go there to play.

‘‘It’s obviously not worked out but I spoke to him this morning and he’s fine. It’s not the first time this has happened but at least he’s given it a go.

‘‘I didn’t speak to him about the details, I just called to make sure he was alright. It was obviously bad enough for him to come home and he knows what his own limits are.

‘‘I don’t think people realise what an effort it took for him even to go out there. But Tres loves his cricket and he’ll be back next year, no doubt about it.

‘‘He will certainly be back next season playing for Somerset and full of runs, just like he was this year.’’ Vaughan acknowledges that the touring commitments placed on the top international players are intense but, with the growing influence of cash-rich Twenty20 competitions like the Champions League allied to the ever-growing ICC schedules, he does not believe there is a respite in sight.

‘‘Marcus’ is obviously a very public situation and how many other players are going through that I don’t know.

‘‘But touring is part of a cricketer’s life and playing cricket is a wonderful experience.

I was fortunate enough to do it and experience that for ten years.

‘‘Now, with the Champions League and and the IPL, players will probably have to travel more rather than less.

‘‘It is tough at times but it is also a wonderful living.’’ Somerset chairman Andy Nash, who also spoke to the 33-year-old yesterday, was heartened to find Trescothick in good spirits ‘‘He is fine. He sounds like normal Marcus, down to earth and grounded,’’ Nash said.

He also confirmed Somerset are full of gratitude for Trescothick’s attempts to beat his fears.

‘‘Everyone connected with the club and cricket is aware how brave it was of him and (his wife) Hayley to even travel out there in the first place.

‘‘This is not a step back for Marcus. It was a victory for him to get there.

‘‘We are full of admiration for what he has done for us.

We are looking forward to him being a highly successful captain for us from next season.’’ ■ Seam bowler CJ de Villiers claimed four wickets and opener Morne van Wyk shone with the bat as the Diamond Eagles handed Somerset Sabres’ semi-final hopes a blow with a five-wicket defeat in the Champions League Twenty20 in Hyderabad.

Wes Durston’s 57 and James Hildreth’s 31 had given Somerset’s total some respectability as they closed on 132 for eight, but Van Wyk’s 47 ensured a comfortable victory for the Diamond Eagles.

De Villiers destroyed Somerset’s top order sending back Craig Kieswetter, Arul Suppiah and Zander de Bruyn.