SOMERSET all-rounder Peter Trego will be playing in all forms of Minor Counties Cricket for Devon this summer after signing a contract as the county’s professional.
Trego, who will celebrate his 38thbirthday during the season, has had two spells with Somerset between 2000-2002 and 2006 up to the present day. Between 2003-2005 he played for Kent, Middlesex and briefly with Herefordshire in the Minor Counties competition.
Cornwall engaged Trego last season. He played 10 games – mostly white ball – including one three-day fixture.
Somerset have contracted Trego as a white-ball cricketer only for 2009, which leaves him with gaps in his diary.
Devon have been looking for a professional to strengthen their side for an important season ahead. Matt Thompson, the new county captain, said Trego fitted the bill perfectly.
“It was important we found the right player and we believe Peter Trego is that player,” said Thompson.
“He is a proven top player in all the formats of the game and has experience of Minor Counties cricket with Herefordshire and Cornwall last season.
“Peter cannot play in all six Championship games – he is confident of playing in three – but is largely available for our white-ball games.”
Trego said a part-time deal with Devon works well for him and his new county.
“I love playing in the Minor Counties competition and it will provide me with a good test when I’m not busy with Somerset,” said Trego.
“It enables me to keep my own game in good order and I would like to say thanks to Devon for giving me the chance to play for them.
“It enables me to keep on playing cricket when there is nothing for me to be involved with at Somerset and its great that I am able to help Devon out in this way.
“There are close links between our two counties and they have certainly provided us with a number of players over the years, several of whom are currently in our first team.”
The season ahead is significant for Devon an all Minor Counties as league positions will determine whether a county is placed in Division One or Division Two of a new promotion-and-relegation system in 2020. Top five in a Western Division of ten is the target.
Devon have lost last season’s captain Josh Bess to retirement – he averaged 67 with the bat and took 20 wickets – and have patchy availability over other key players such as Jamie Stephens and ex-Somerset batsman Alex Barrow.
It is against the background of an evolving side with selection issues that Devon have decided to employ a contracted professional for the first time in more than 40 years. The last post holder was the former Hampshire, Warwickshire and England fast bowler Bob Cottam in 1976.
Thompson had a previous stint as county captain between 2015-2016 when Devon were last in a transitional stage – they did not win a three-day game in 2015 - and feels taking on a professional is the right thing to do.
“It is a case of learning a lesson from a couple of years ago about what can happen,” said Thompson.
“A professional on his own is not going to ensure Devon finish in the top five this season – that will be down to the team, not one man.
“You cannot expect a professional to come into a team and dig it out of a hole.
“What you are looking for is a player to supplement what you already have with a bit of quality.”
Trego will bring a career record of nearly 600 First Class, List A and T20 games with him, in which he has scored nearly 19,000 runs and taken more than 600 wickets.
Wayne White, a journeyman pro who has had stints on the staffs at Derbyshire, Leicestershire and latterly Lancashire will deputise as professional when Trego is unavailable.
White, another seam-bowling all-rounder, played for Cheshire in 2017-18. He was released at the end of last season despite taking 28 wickets and averaging 32 with the bat. Cheshire wanted a left-arm spinner for 2019 to replace the departed Dan Woods.
Devon and Somerset have worked closely in recent season developing young players. Tom Lammonby, Ben Green and Ollie Sale are Devonians who have been talent-honed at Taunton.
It has been a two-way street with Somerset keeper-batter Fin Trenouth assisting Devon in a handful of games last season.
Somerset have agreed to Academy scholars Ned Leonard and Kasey Aldridge being dual-registered with Devon for the season ahead as part of their development programme. Both are pupils at Millfield School.
Aldridge, a 6ft 4ins fast bowler, took six wickets in the match on his England U19 debut in Bangladesh last week.
Leonard, who at 16 is two years younger than Aldridge, was talent spotted playing for Middlesex at under-14 level. He switched to Somerset after arriving at Millfield and was part of the ECB Elite squad last season. Leonard bowls medium quick and bats.
