PETER Trego used Somerset’s three day pre-season match against Gloucestershire to remind the cricket bosses at the Cooper Associates County Ground just how valuable an asset he is to the side, writes Richard Walsh.

With five first team regulars missing - Dean Elgar on international duty, Craig Overton and Jack Leach both playing for the MCC against the 2016 Champion county and Lewis Gregory and Tim Groenewald playing for the South v North - the 35-year-old Trego seized his chance and  enjoyed success with both bat and ball.

On the opening day Marcus Trescothick (37) started his new season with consecutive boundaries and shared a half century second wicket partnership with Tom Abell, who looked well in touch for his 25.

Later on Trego upped the tempo and hit 15 fours on his way to 78 off 52 balls, during which time he shared a fifth wicket partnership of 109 with newboy Steve Davies (34).

Most of the Somerset batsmen got starts on a day when batting was far from easy.

The second day was limited to one session but on Tuesday the lad from Weston changed bat for ball and, when he was brought into the attack, repaid Captain Abell by taking two wickets in two balls in his first over and claimed another before rain brought an early lunch.

Gloucestershire then declared on 245/8, providing Somerset's top order with another chance to impress.

Trescothick, Adam Hose and Abell were all dismissed for 5 to leave the hosts struggling on 17/3, but James Hildreth and new gloveman Davies steadied the ship.

Both batsmen enjoyed themselves, with Davies bringing up his first unofficial half-century for his new side from 36 balls and Hildreth hitting seven fours and two sixes in his undefeated 58.

Davies ended the day also unbeaten on 70 as Somerset concluded the drawn match on 149/3.

Reflecting on the match, Trego said: “We’ve had a productive three days – all the batsmen got some time in the middle, the bowlers got some miles in their legs and it was really nice to see how Hildy and Davo saw off the game at the end.

"For me personally it was nice to hit a few in the middle as it relaxes you – pre-season can be quite a nervy time as you wonder whether you’ve lost it over the winter, so it’s nice to chalk up a decent contribution with bat and ball and it sets my pre-season up really nicely.

“Everyone goes into the next game with spirits high and in good shape."

That next game comes tomorrow (Wednesday), when the two sides meet again in a one-day friendly at the County Ground - entry is free for spectators.

Ryan Davies will keep wicket in place of his namesake Steve, with the full squad as follows:

Allenby (c), Myburgh, Trego, Abell, Hildreth, Bartlett, Van der Merwe, R Davies, J Overton, van Meekeren, Davey, Waller, Bess.