Brian Rose believes Marcus Trescothick's burning desire to see Somerset win the County Championship will make him an outstanding successor to Justin Langer as captain.

The club's director of cricket spoke for the first time last night about the decision to appoint Trescothick skipper, describing it as one of the easiest he has had to make.

Rose said: "In football terms it was a no-brainer. Marcus is the right age, with the right level of ability and the right temperament to take on the captaincy. And most importantly of all he wanted the job.

"We share a burning ambition to see Somerset win the County Championship and I know that will be a major driving force for him

"He is a Somerset boy heart and soul and he loves playing cricket so I am sure he will bring a great many qualities to the role. It is an honour to captain our club and he knows that."

Marcus Trescothick celebrated his new appointment by making 72 against Worcestershire at Taunton yesterday. He will take charge after Langer leads Somerset CCC in the Twenty20 Champions League tournament in India next month.

The former England opener is enjoying his most prolific season ever at county level with 1,817 first class runs, showing no symptoms of the stress-related illness that forced him to quit international cricket after the winter of 2006-07.

"What Marcus has done for Somerset over the last three years, considering the problems he has had, has been tremendous and has gained him even greater respect from the staff here," said Rose.

"Like Justin Langer and other great players he is a wonderful example to our youngsters of the benefits of practicing hard. He keeps himself as fit as possible and hits thousands of balls during the winter in the nets."