There is a hell of a lot on this game, says all-rounder Pete

SOMERSET insist they can still win the County Championship after leaders Nottinghamshire’s surprise defeat to Durham last week.

The penultimate round of four-day matches begins today with Somerset facing Lancashire at Taunton.

Nottinghamshire still lead Somerset by 22 points with Yorkshire and Lancashire three and nine points further behind respectively. Notts host Yorkshire and finish at Lancashire, while Somerset close at Durham next week.

Somerset all-rounder Pete Trego thinks there is still every chance to pressurise Notts.

“It is quite clearly now a four-horse race,” said the man from Weston-super-Mare.

“One more slip-up from Notts and a couple of wins from the guys in the chasing pack makes it very interesting, so we know that to win it we have probably got to win both games.

“Before Lancashire won the other day, it looked like we were definitely going to get one of the top three spots and that isn’t a given any more. There is a hell of a lot on this game.

“We are fully focussed on what we have to do. We have to win every game for the rest of the season to make it a successful year and that is what we will endeavour to do.”

Rain denied Somerset victory at Old Trafford in May after Trego scored an 83-ball hundred.

“Whenever you play the big counties, if you like, it always adds a bit extra and I would be happy to take the slowest hundred if it is what is needed,” he said. “Whatever situation is required, I will be well up for the challenge.

“We have got so far down the line and done so well this year, it would be a real shame to not nail one of these competitions.”

Almost as soon as this season ends, Trego will head to Australia to play club cricket in Melbourne.

“It is bizarre,” he said. “You feel tired, but you are also excited as well.

“I have committed the next six or seven months to play overseas as well, hopefully for the Lions or England.

“I am very much keen to play non-stop cricket for the rest of my career which, hopefully, will last a while.

“I pride myself on being fit and a good athlete and playing every single game is what I endeavour to do every single season.”

Somerset will name England Twenty20 opener Craig Kieswetter in their side today but, as he is still on international duty in Cardiff, Chris Jones will stand in for him until he returns tomorrow.

The match will be Jones’ first-team debut. The teenage right-hander, normally an opener, will bat in the middle order if required.

He has played for Dorset and has captained Somerset’s second XI, making some big scores in recent weeks.

Leg-spinner Max Waller will not feature as he is playing for Dorset against Lincolnshire in the Minor Counties Championship final at Bournemouth.

Somerset: Trescothick, Suppiah, Compton, Hildreth, Buttler, Kieswetter, C Jones, Trego, Phillips, Thomas, Kartik, Willoughby.