Coming Back To Me: The Autobiography of Marcus Trescothick

by Marcus Trescothick

A true-life sporting memoir of one of the best batsman in the game who stunned the cricket world when he prematurely ended his own England career. Trescothick’s brave and soul-baring account of his mental frailties opens the way to a better understanding of the unique pressures experienced by modern-day professional sportsmen.

At 29, Marcus Trescothick was widely regarded as one of the batting greats. With more than 5,000 Test runs to his name and a 2005 Ashes hero, some were predicting this gentle West Country cricket nut might even surpass Graham Gooch's record to become England's highest ever Test run scorer.

But the next time Trescothick hit the headlines it was for reasons no one but a handful of close friends and colleagues could have foreseen.

On Saturday 25 February 2006, four days before leading England into the first Test against India in place of the injured captain Vaughan, Trescothick was out for 32 in the second innings of the final warm-up match. As he walked from the field he fought to calm the emotional storm that was raging inside him, at least to hide it from prying eyes. In the dressing room he broke down in tears, overwhelmed by a blur of anguish, uncertainty and sadness he had been keeping at bay for longer than he knew.

Within hours England's best batsman was on the next flight home. His departure was kept secret until after close of play when coach Duncan Fletcher told the stunned media his acting captain had quit the tour for 'personal, family reasons.'

Until now, the full, extraordinary story of what happened that day and why, of what preceded his breakdown has never been told. He reveals for the first time that he almost flew home from the 2004 tour to South Africa – of what caused it and of what followed – his comeback to the England side and a second crushing breakdown nine months later that left him unable to continue the 2006-07 Ashes tour down under.

Coming Back to Me will replace the myths and rumours with the truth as Trescothick talks with engaging openness and enthusiasm about his rise to the top of international cricket; and describes with equal frankness his tortured descent into private despair.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Sports, Autobiography, Memoir

380 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Gerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is much more than another sports book. Marcus Trescothick is not one of those here today and gone tomorrow cricketers who have to get their story out after they have been in the game for a very short time. He is an honest to goodness chap who wanted to tell his life story, which entailed a major breakdown that ultimately spelt the end of his international cricketing career.

He begins at the end. Surprised? No need to be for he felt that the best way to deal with his demons was to get them out up front for the reader so he/she would know what they were in for. And it works splendidly.

After painfully outlining his problems he returns to his roots and tells of his upbringing and how he became the cricketer that he turned out to be. And he was no ordinary player; his talent soon shone through and he was recognised as England potential.

His performances were such that he played for his country as a junior before being elevated to the senior ranks and eventually captaining his country in two Test Matches.

He married, had a daughter (he now has two) and went touring with the England team. It was while he was away that he realised he could not continue this life-style, even though, as he acknowledges, he was at the top of his profession and earning very good money. In a harrowing tale he tells how his demons surfaced and how he and his family dealt with them. And he willingly acknowledges the part his wife in particular and his family helped him overcome them.

He continued to play county cricket, and to score runs mercilessly, and he returned to the England set-up. But, after being a member of the hugely successful 2005 Ashes winning side, his demons surfaced once again and he was back to square one. And once again his family pulled him through.

The book is not only a sporting autobiography but a shining example of how to fight and manage - I deliberately hesitate to use the verb overcome (as I know to my own cost) - this depressive illness and as such it is a compelling read.

Not surprisingly 'Coming back to me' won the William Hill Sports Book Award for 2008 but I stress, it is much more than a sports book.

[[ J o ] · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marcus Trescothick was one of the truly great English Batsmen until his depression was severely triggered and he realised that touring overseas was an impossibility. Very candid and very open from a wonderful player and great man. Not quite your average sports autobiography as his words on mental health are very welcome in this day and age of sitting still, being quiet and getting on with it. But honestly, if you're not a Cricket fan or a Somerset Faithful, it's unlikely this will show up on your radar. Good sports stuff, but in terms of life stories it's of little interest.

[Basil Clement · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining in some parts, moving in other parts, interesting in all parts.

[Alex Marriott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absorbing, funny, tragic, memorable, human. Top read.

[Readosaurus · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an interesting book about the psychological difficulties of a cricket obsessive. Everything about his upbringing is focussed on cricket, with his Dad playing a major part in the local club side and his Mum making the teas. The pinnacle of happiness for him appears to be making a lot of runs and winning a cricket match, followed by beers with the lads down the club. Teenage seasons are remembered minutely and anything to do with cricket appears to have been recorded in near photographic detail. The consequences of this incredible focus have clearly been impressive on a professional level. However, on a personal level, it at least seems possible that it made life problematic. The first inkling of this comes when we learn about how he met his wife. While Trescothick might spend several pages, or even a whole chapter, discussing a match or individual innings, meeting the love of his life is recorded in less than half a page. At this relatively early stage in the book, I thought perhaps he might be reticent about discussing his private life when it had been under such scrutiny in the past.


However, as the book progressed I formed an image of Trescothick as someone who isn’twasn’t much interested in life outside of cricket. We learn about how he is unwilling to return home from tour in Pakistan after his father-in-law is seriously injured, leaving his wife distressed. To his credit, this is recognised as a shocking error of judgment with hindsight and he takes full responsibility for his mistake. In his defence, as vice-captain standing in for the absent Micheal Vaughan, he may have felt a heightened sense of responsibility. Nonetheless, the incident could be viewed as evidence of a dangerous cricket myopia.


This total obsession with cricket seems to have been a mixed blessing for Trescothick. He gets so good that he plays internationally, which means he is touring for extended periods throughout the year. This is a lifestyle that he doesn’t seem constitutionally suited to, with some of his earliest and most traumatic childhood memories related to being separated from home and family life. Nonetheless, the excitement and desire to play cricket gets him through the endless hours of traveling and being bored in hotel rooms. Until they don’t.


Trescothick talking about his mental problems is undoubtedly the highlight of the book. He has a breakdown while on tour and needs to return home, but wants to keep it hushed up. Owing to the mystery surrounding the circumstances of his departure, the press becomes very interested in what’s going on. The most distressing part of the book is when he returns to the UK. Given that his psychological issues relate to separation from home and family, it seems sensible that he would go straight home. However, this isn’t possible because of all the paparazzi at his house, so he has to go into hiding in Devon. It really rams home to me how being a sportsman in the public eye effectively robs you of a private life. In fairness, Trescothick and his advisors are themselves somewhat to blame for the situation, for not being more forthcoming about the circumstances of his departure from the tour.


It seems like Trescothick, as a man who really just wants to play cricket and eat sausages, is deeply confused and worried about what’s happening to him. He doesn’t want to talk about his problems because they might threaten his international cricket career. He continually hopes that they’ll be a short term problem and go away with the right therapy or medication. It’s hard to blame him for this kind of wishful thinking. In the end, as media speculation reaches fever pitch about the reasons for his absence (including rumours that Vaughan is sleeping with his wife - which he flat out denies), his advisors set up a friendly interview with Sky Sports with pre-planned questions and answers so he can reveal his mental struggles and end all the speculation. Trescothick botches this and doesn’t say his lines about his psychological issues, rendering the whole thing a waste of time. I feel this shows just how scared and ashamed Trecothick was of what had happened to him.


Perhaps because of this horrendous experience, Trescothick is very open about what happened to him in the book. A cricket dressing room, the place Trescothick lived his entire adult life, is probably not the most understanding environment to talk about difficult psychological issues. His nickname amongst his teammates after his breakdown is ‘Madfish’. So it’s clear to me how much he’s had to overcome to get to the point of writing a book about the experience. One of the most positive aspects of the book was the fact that Trecothick makes many mistakes, admits that he’s made them, learns from them and improves afterwards.


There is some evidence that his cricket career followed some similar stages. Early in his professional career, he has issues leaving the ball outside off-stump, which Peter Carlstein helps him solve in Australia. He also has some issues facing spin, which he solves by ‘pressing’ a half step forward at Duncan Fletcher’s request - ‘Duncan’s theory was that, when batting against spinners, if you made a small but positive move onto the front foot before the ball was released, you would put yourself in a better position to go either fully forward or fully back depending on the length of the ball…”if you are going to catch a bus, it is better to arrive at the bus stop early enough to read the the number on the front, rather than at the last moment when you have no choice but to get on and find out later if it is going where you want to go.”’ (p81-82)

Of course, no sporting autobiography would be complete without the obligatory score settling! Trescothick gets going early by putting a certain Nick Speak (Lancashire batsman) to the sword for saying, ‘this bloke is shit’ (p36) to him as a 17 year old debutant. Trescothick classifies this as bullying rather than sledging. Former England captain Nasser Hussain gets a very tepid review. Trescothick claims he never said anything to him before his England debut until they were in the middle together. He also tells an unflattering story about him smashing a fridge window in the changing room after he was given out to bad decision. The most serious allegations are that he put his own batting interests above those of the team during a ODI (p110) and that he was a self-interested captain (p122) - perhaps Trecothick has something of a vendetta against him? Shane Warne is also slated for writing an article saying he should be dropped from the England team (p143-144).

Alongside these attacks, explicit or veiled, are some more enjoyable titbits. For instance, apparently Caddick and Gough used to bicker constantly in the England dressing room. I also learned that Nathan Astle once went from 101 to 200 runs in 39 deliveries in a test vs England in March, 2002 (p105). Overall, Astle’s double hundred took 153 balls. Perhaps most enjoyably we learn that Trescothick is a big Eminem fan and says he was rapping ‘Lose Yourself’ during his test double ton vs SA. He also gives shout outs to Snoop Dogg and Warren G!


If Trescothick had never had any of his problems I imagine this would have been a boring read. Owing to everything that’s happened to him, and the fact he suffered from not being open about it, he’s remarkably candid about his struggles and the mistakes he made trying to manage them. I also couldn’t help but feel like the professionalization of cricket and the structure of the international game were partially responsible for his issues. Of course, you could respond, ‘well, he shouldn’t have played then’ but that was never really an option for an obsessive like him. In my mind, Trescothick’s life might have been a lot more simple and straightforward if he had less talent and was a club cricketer like his Dad without any of the stress that comes with playing for money in the media spotlight. Whether it was all worth it in the end is anyone’s guess.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second half, which concentrates on his depression, is much moreinteresting than the first, which tends to fall into the trap of many sports' biogs (we started the day on 280-4... Pakistan set us a tough target.. etc).

But his candid description of his descent into his own personal hell and the way he attempts to deal with it are fascinating. More high profile people, in sports and in other fields, would do well to help publicise awareness of depression in such a way.

[Paul Riddle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much more than a sporting autobiography. a painful look at Marc's descent into mental illness and his struggle to contain the demons.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can vaguely remember this being considered a good book on its release, but that was well before I read so much and so was never really on my radar, nor is it still considered a must-read really. As much as anything, it reveals how mental illness was seen 12 years ago, long before TV campaigns about it.

The early stuff is standard sports autobiography fare, child very good at sport does much better than his peers, and when playing for his county and his country the anecdotes get better. I still found it difficult to read his personality, settled fairly young but also one of the senior banter merchants of the side, yet rarely coming across as that laddish. Perhaps the theme of the book doesn't lend itself to japes, but to be honest I didn't find out what interested him beyond his family and batting equipment, which was a slight shame in such a personal book.

His depression takes up a significant part of the book, and he and his ghostwriter do seem to convey how it felt to him in a way that other writers haven't managed to the same extent. It's difficult to know whether some of the underlying reasons were a touch speculative, such as strong characters suffering because weaker ones let problems go, or whether they were attempts by psychiatrists to boost his self-esteem. Although some of the forensic details of press days could get a bit wearing, I do admit that the smaller details allowed the reader to get a much less vague idea of how his mind was affected, which I appreciated. It's also amazing what tricks reporters get up to, even when you know in the abstract tabloid hacks are a joke, the specifics are disgraceful.

Perhaps the attitude to mental illness has changed a touch since 2008, as I doubt a book solely on depression would have been commissioned back then, whereas now I could imagine the cricket being sidelined. But there is still a sense of public support and private admonishment that has stayed until today, although now 'depression' seems to be considered in its own right, whereas Trescothick's seems to have a more concrete cause.

I did find some of the insight into training interesting too, and Vaughan comes out of this especially well, which surprised me as I find him really annoying, but it seems as a captain he was quite a dynamic character, and Fletcher also gave something new to the side. But on the field it became more abstract or lists of scores - the behind the scenes angle was much more revealing, both of his illness and his teammates.

[Tim Atkinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

In so many ways this is such a courageous and honest account of an illness that is still, even now, so difficult to admit to having suffered. Marcus Trescothick was a brilliant, dashing opening batsman, part of the legendary 2005 England Ashes team. He rode the crest of a hugely successful sporting wave and then... mental illness struck. And for the most part, this book is a candid and sensitive account of that illness and how difficult it was for a sportsman in his position to acknowledge it. But acknowledge it he does. And then he (or Peter Hayter, his ghost writer) goes and spoils it all by uttering such a crassness as: “... in any case they [his England team-mates] must’ve been pretty uncertain as to the prescribed form of mickey-taking for someone who had spent the last three months barking at the moon.’ Barking at the moon? Trescothick had what he himself describes as a ‘physical illness,’ one he found almost impossible to come to terms with in no small part due to the stigma that such ‘mickey-taking’ creates. It’s simply not funny. It’s laddish, and boorish and all the things that made it so hard for him, a professional sportsman, to deal with it in the first place. The ‘bants’, the jokes, the fooling around. Trescothick wants his cake and wants to eat it.

Charlie Williams once used to tell racist jokes. Against himself. That would be utterly unacceptable now. And so should this, especially from someone who should know better. But then again, the bants is so much a part of all-male sporting culture that it’s easy to see why Trescothick might both want to dish it out as well as take it. That’s not to excuse any of it. Far from it. For as the author hints elsewhere, that is part of the problem. The pressure, the taunts, names and shame that’s consequently associated with any perceived deviation from the toxic-male ‘norm’, the herd mentality, the line of least resistance that inevitably leads to laughing at things you might not find funny... because it’s ‘bants’ isn’t it? Harmless bants. Well it’s not harmless and it’s still a long, slow process getting young men (who are, let’s remember, statistically most vulnerable to suicide) to resist such laddish behaviour. And I’m afraid examples like this, from a man who should know so much better, don’t help.

[Daniel Lang · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Coming Back to Me" by Marcus Trescothick is a memoir that delves into the life of the former English cricketer, providing a candid account of his struggles with mental health and his decision to step away from international cricket. While Trescothick's openness about his battles with anxiety and depression is commendable, the overall execution of the book leaves something to be desired.

One of the notable drawbacks of the memoir is its somewhat disjointed narrative. Trescothick's storytelling lacks a smooth flow, making it challenging for readers to fully immerse themselves in his journey. The timeline jumps at times, creating confusion and hindering the overall coherence of the narrative. This lack of a clear structure may leave readers feeling disconnected from the story, making it harder to empathize with the author's experiences.

Additionally, the writing style in "Coming Back to Me" may not resonate with all readers. While Trescothick's intention to convey raw emotions is evident, the prose often comes across as overly simplistic, lacking the depth and nuance that could elevate the memoir to a more profound level. This simplicity may leave readers yearning for a more sophisticated and refined expression of the author's complex emotions.

Furthermore, the memoir could benefit from a more in-depth exploration of Trescothick's cricketing career. While the book touches on his achievements and challenges within the sport, it often feels like a missed opportunity to provide a more comprehensive analysis of his experiences on the cricket field. A more detailed examination of his career highs and lows would have added a layer of richness to the narrative.

In conclusion, "Coming Back to Me" offers a candid glimpse into Marcus Trescothick's personal struggles, particularly with mental health. However, the disjointed narrative, simplistic writing style, and a lack of depth in exploring his cricketing journey may leave readers wanting more. Despite its shortcomings, the memoir remains a brave attempt to shed light on the often overlooked challenges faced by athletes, making it a worthwhile read for those interested in the intersection of sports and mental health.

[Ruschil Aggarwal · Rating 4 out of 5]

No matter how assiduous the human efforts, events inevitably take their own course! Be it over the course of an innings, a match, an entire career or life in general. Marcus Trescothick's autobiography is a gripping read as it charts out his rise through the ranks, before diving deep into his 'stress related illness', something which still carries a bit of stigma for the man on the street.

In a strange co-incidence of events, my departing manager chanced upon a copy of this book in their locker, and just a week later, Trescothick drew a line under his first-class career. This latest development was announced while I was watching India trump West Indies in a league stage ODI at Old Trafford. It all seemed to add up, it was time to hear his story!

The southpaw seemed ear-marked for greatness very early in his career. A prolific opening batsman who would eat, breathe and sleep cricket, one couldn't help rejoice in his success in the early 2000s. Although Nasser Hussain, and his cronies from the 90s squad carried a reputation, things were on the upswing as the new guard began settling in. Trescothick's chronicles of his initial days in the senior team, his experiences, struggles & triumphs leading to the 2005 Ashes, allow the devout Test match follower to relive the days. He doesn't conceal his disappointment at being overlooked for the England top-job in favour of Michael Vaughan, who seemed to have hit a rich vein of form at the right time. The epoch-making 2005 Ashes triumph, which lead to the return of the urn, and flagged off a new era in English cricket is described in riveting detail, and appropriately so!

For someone who had hitherto enjoyed a linear career path, the confidence of the team management, held his own against varied opposition, and had 60 Tests under his belt by the time he hit 30 years, the best years were arguably ahead of him! That is when disaster struck.

Issues that had been festering for a while, but been persistently ignored, trivialised, or in other ways brushed under the carpet, seemed to have snowballed when he was least prepared. While traditional wisdom would recommend 'toughening up', his is a strong case for giving mental health due consideration. Following certain triggers brought upon by inadvertent developments in his personal life, while in unfamiliar environments, and in the absence of regular coping mechanisms, Trescothick is caught off-guard! The copious detail around the depth of his internal strife in the midst of the unavoidable dirt, grime & socio-economic divide during tours of India & Pakistan, forced even myself to temporarily view the sub-continent (my native home) as a alien territory that challenges sanity.

This is not an uncommon theme with native Brits who have yet to widen their perspective. Andrew Flintoff, for instance, had attempted glorifying his squad in the image of patriotic armed forces out to serve the country, before embarking on a tour of 'alcohol-free' Pakistan. It was even more disappointing to find young English journalists on a respected portal such as ESPN Cricinfo, promote his views. The apple-cart is bound to be upset once they break out of their sheltered existence. And Trescothick was caught napping in the corridor of uncertainty!

Anxiety & depression are more rampant than meets the eye, and are yet to be completely decoded by the experts-that-be. But Trescothick's frank account of his struggles will definitely go some way. The ball-by-ball account of the downward spiral, and the vicious circle of depression, despair and frustration, is brought out with its poignancy intact! Trescothick barely avoids slipping irrevocably into quick sand. It takes a brave soul to open up about his battles, even if it maybe for commercial gain. No spoilers will be reproduced here, best obtained from the horse's mouth!

It is also notable that Trescothick was the beneficiary of significant support from the retinue of psychologists, mentors, therapists & well-wishers, many of which are well beyond the reach of others in his shoes. He does express his gratitude, even if the full appreciation of the privileges might not be brought out in entirety.
On the balance, a fantastic account. No surprises it was a prize-winner!

[Jamesm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its a pretty good book. I found myself getting frustrating reading it every time Trescothick had another bout of depression which stopped him being able to play or travel (you just think 'come on, just play'), so god knows what it must have been like for him. Its really interesting to consider the boundaries of stress/mental health, how much we can cope with it through pushing ourselves and tough love (the dangers of telling ourselves its fine to be anything) vs how much we need support, encouragement and empathy.

I found the section of the book on cricket much more interesting, however the reason I picked up the book was because of Trescothick's story and battle with depression, which made it a unique read.

Its certainly worth a read if you like cricket and or have an interest in understanding depression. Marcus Trescothick always seemed like a nice guy so I hope he is OK now and enjoying life having retired this season.

[Keith Astbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marcus Trescothick was one of my favourite cricketers of the early 2000's. There was something seemingly very uncomplicated about his batting and his personality, judging by interviews with the media, seemed to mirror that. Obviously things are not always what they seem and Trescothick outlines the early episodes that lead to his full-on illness and the premature ending of a great international career, as well as the measures put in place to try and aid his recovery. This - bravely - probably accounts for a substantial portion of the book and you can't help thinking that maybe writing this so soon afterwards was an attempt at self-help as well rectifying the understandable mis-truths along the way, and was probably told in greater detail than if he had delayed this book by a few more years. It's hardly pleasant to read about someone's suffering in such detail but if it helps even one person then it will have done its job. I wish him well x

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marcus Trescothick was one of the best batsmen of his generation, a left handed, top-order biffer, relying on a good eye and a straight bat rather than nifty footwork. There was something gloriously bucolic about the way he played the game (see-ball-hit-ball), something innocent and transparent. I'm ashamed to say that when I heard of him pulling out of England tours through domestic problems or nervous illnesses, I was among the masses clamouring for him to man up and get out there to represent his country. The revelation of the extent of his illness was quickly followed by my sincere sympathy. In these days of never-ending seasons and non-stop media intrusion, to be a top-level sportsperson and to be perfectly well-adjusted is almost impossible. Credit Trescothick's frank acknowledgement of that stress and the damage it can do.

[Nasir Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this as a young kid - showed me the other side of cricket, how cricketers cope with their personal lives, English cricketing culture, and how easy it is to have a nervous breakdown and collapse with the intense schedule of a cricketer that only grows increasingly in the current era. It was a truly wonderful story of undeniably special talent, a great family that certainly nurtured Tresco's talent, traditional English breakfasts (and other fatty, meaty British dishes), and of course its always impossibly exciting to view the Ashes through the lens of a victor who was, no doubt, one of the most aggressive, explosive, yet flamboyant left-hand openers of his time (and still is, for his age) whilst putting forth an example of classic, gentlemanly sportsmanship that, in an ideal world, should be exemplary of any cricketer.

[Ron Hardwick · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Mr Trescothick blitzed the Aussies during the 2005 Ashes series, one would have thought the world was his oyster. However, within a few years his career was finished, he could hardly lift a bat in anger, and was overwhelmed with anxiety, panic attacks, depression and abject misery. He was obliged to return halfway through an overseas tour and he never played for England again. After a great deal of counselling, he has, thankfully, recovered, and is now part of England's coaching staff. The narrative shows in detail how hellish mental health problems are and how difficult they are to overcome. It's a little bit stodgily written, which is why I've marked it down slightly, but it's useful if one wishes to learn what it's like to have the black dog descend on one.

[Dean Redfearn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read many cricket (auto)biographies and I have to say I think this is the least insightful and interesting despite the fact this is often touted as one of the best (and it is award winning). The book overly focuses on Trescothick's struggles with depression and he provides an outdated analysis and reductive retelling - it may have been appropriate 15 years ago but not any longer and is in fact pretty awkward to read now.

This may be acceptable if it was accompanied by some insight into cricket more generally but there is very little of either quantity or substance.

[Laurence Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good read, but a little frustrating. It touches on a number of areas: cricket (obviously); mental health in sport (naturally) and MT himself as a person. Unfortunately, it doesn't really go in to depth on any of them. For a more searing personal view of mental health and sport I'd suggest andre agassi; for an understanding and insight into cricket, you couldn't do better than Simon Jones

[Olly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read about a forgotten England great , Marcus’s insight inland openness about his struggles during his career relayed and help with my own personal issues even though I read this book a good few years ago now I can still remember the key moments that have stuck with me and changed my outlook on what it’s really like to be a professional cricketer and the sacrifices you have to make for your own well being

[Senuri Liyanage · Rating 5 out of 5]

A moving and entertaining biography. It explores Marcus' English cricketing career and the stress, anxiety and depression that brought it to a close. A must read for all fans of Marcus, English Cricket or just cricket in general. It shows you a side of cricket (or any high level sport) that is not often visible to the public.

[John Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good book that is more about Marcus’s anxiety problems than his life story.
I can totally relate to what he went through and it’s explained perfectly.
I know see him in a different light .
Really good

[Eddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and unusual sports autobiography - focussing not on the cricket but on the author's mental state and depression.

[Tracy Curnock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good insight into Mental Health issues but also very heavy on cricket match descriptions which I found distracting but still worth a read.

[Mandar Pradhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nostalgic read especially if you are that 90s kids from a cricket mad nation.

[Anup Narayanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An honest account his struggles and I deeply appreciate him for that.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

With most books about sporting personalities it's unlikely you're going to have any interest in reading if you don't like the sport that said person played. I would say that, what with cricket being quite the 'hit or miss' sport, it probably is the same with this however this is so much more than 'Marcus Trescothick's highlight reel'. For those unaware of who he is; Marcus is a professional cricket player and former opening batsmen for the England team and undoubtedly at that time, one of England's best batsmen as well as being part of the 2005 winning Ashes series. Okay so far, your average sports book. This however, as I said, is nothing of the sort. Marcus Trescothick was forced to leave England's 2006 (I think it was 06 but I apologise if I'm wrong on that.) of India early. It was never clear at the time, and indeed at the time of future squads he withdrew from, what the real cause behind it was. The reason we were given was first "illness and personal problems" and then "stress related illness" He was eventually forced to retire from international cricket as a result of this but until I actually read the book I still didn't really know what this "stress related illness" was. At the time I, and probably quite a few outsiders, were saying "Come on Marcus, just pull yourself together and get back out there". So I was naturally intruiged to read this and get to the bottom of what was really going on. It makes for harrowing reading at times and he says himself that upon writing this, having to go back and remember what he went through was a very unpleasant experience. What starts off for him as serious homesickness and sleeping trouble when on tours away from his family turns into something a lot more serious; nights spent crippled with fear at what might be happening back home to the point where he felt he was going to die and even had the thought of taking his own life to stop himself having to live through what he was having to. In the end, despite all the help he sought out, everything he tried he was forced to retire from international cricket as even a short pre-season tour with his county became too much for him. It's sad, there's no other word for it and it had me on the verge of tears. In fiction you can write whatever you want to tug at the heart strings of the reader. This actually happened; Marcus Trescothick did actually break down in tears at Heathrow airport when trying to board the plane to Dubai, he did actually have to give up doing what he loved because of something, for the most part, he couldn't get his head around and couldn't comprehend. This book won the William Hill Sports Book of the year in 2008 and it was well deserved. As I've said, so much more than your average 'Look how well I did' sports personality effort.

[Murali Sridhar · Rating 3 out of 5]

I purposefully avoid rating a book where the focus is on the author's personal battle with depression in professional sport.

Apart from the chapters on his dark days and family census the rest of the book is an average read for people who have followed the sport passionately in the early 2000s. There is scope for more personalities to come in from all the cricketing teams Trescothick played with or against but you keep reading Duncan, Vaughan, Fred , and KP. There is no mention of his approach to opening a game as well- I don't remember him writing about reading a pitch report or deciding on a par score to start with. Remember that he had captained the side in a lot of matches. Instead there's layman vocabulary like "I could see the ball in slow motion...in my zone...could spot the ball as big as football". I am not criticizing a cricketer who consistently hit top class scores against top class opponents but cricket is more than the instinct + gym setup he seems to describe. May be the intent of the book was weighed on the side of his problems than cricket.

A few other negatives ,typical of many started-within-a-month-of-retirement books, aside this was a well written book to read. Most importantly one can travel with his ups and then sympathize with his condition at the time of giving up Intl cricket. I feel happy that , now, at 42 he is still banging the ball for Somerset and setting an example of how to go easy after making hard compromises in life.

[Ashok Sridharan · Rating 4 out of 5]

By way of background: the author Marcus Trescothick was an English cricketer who played for England in test and limited overs cricket from 2000 to 2006 as a batsman. He was one of the best opening batsmen in the world during that period and one of the pillars of the English cricket team. He was nearing the peak of his career when an on going battle with depression forced him out of the game forever.

Coming back to me is partly an autobiography (ghost written by Peter Hayter) and partly a narrative of Trescothick's battles with depression, particularly the later chapters. It is a refreshingly honest account which, in many places, is touching. Having seen Trescothick dominate the best bowlers in the world in his prime, it was moving to know the extraordinary odds he had to overcome to reach as far as he did.

In many ways Coming back to me is a pathbreaking work. Not many sports persons, and certainly no cricketer ever came out openly on the subject of depression, much less write a book on it. Given the frequency of suicides among cricketers, its impossible to overstate the significance of this book.

You assuredly do not need to be a cricket fan to appreciate this novel. Its a touching, brutally honest account of a sportsman's battle against depression.

[Mayank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marcus Trescothick provides an honest and brutal autobiographical account that continues to haunt long after you have read it.
By all accounts, Marcus Trescothick was living a life of his dreams. Blessed with a loving and caring family, he loved doing his job which was to bat for England cricket team. Pretty decent at his job, he was making rapid strides and seemed destined for greatness, until, it all fell apart. Marcus Trescothick was diagnosed with stress related illness - depression and anxiety, triggered by certain incidents in his life and continuos pressure of representing England at the highest level.
The book presents quite graphic and moving account of his struggles and talks about one of the greatest taboos of the sport. Certain passages move you, some even disturb you, but in its entirety, the book engages you. Trescothick rarely loses his wit and comes up with a clever line or two even at the most tense situations. Never a dull moment, this is an interesting and probably one of the most important books which talks about the most misunderstood and least talked about aspect of sports. This is a book which goes way beyond cricket and sports.

[Omar Nizam · Rating 4 out of 5]

- Book Review: "Coming Back To Me" by Marcus Trescothick - 📚🏏🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Cricketer Marcus Trescothick was one of the most prolific all-format England batters of his generation, notching up no less than 14 Test hundreds and 12 ODI hundreds.

His international career was cut short in just six years on account of mental illness.

The book recounts his journey as a cricketer playing for Somerset and England and heavily touches on the mental illness that eventually ended his career.

Trescothick's story is remarkable not because of it's longevity, but because he was the first and only high profile cricketer to go public with his struggles at a time when mental illness was still highly stigmatized.

The best part of the book is the self-deprecating humour that he uses to good effect as a counterbalance / comic relief to the more serious and darker undertone of the main subject matter of mental illness.

The book is a must read owing to Trescothick's story being the first ever instance of mental illness & sports being brought into the attention of a general audience.

My rating: 4/5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#bookreview #MarcusTrescothick #england #mentalhealth