SOMERSET’S Craig Kieswetter and Alfonso Thomas will go head to head in the Australian T20 Big Bash later this year.

Kieswetter was the leading run scorer in T20 in England this summer with 517 runs at an average of 64.62, while Thomas is top wicket taker in the world in the short format with 231 scalps at an average of 20.80.

Paceman Thomas is an experienced campaigner on the world T20 stage, having played in India, South Africa and Australia, but Kieswetter is dipping his toe into overseas T20 for the first time this winter.

The pair will have their showdown when Kieswetter’s team, Brisbane Heat, entertain Thomas’ Perth Scorchers on December 22.

Thomas said: “Last season, the Scorchers lost in the final to Brisbane Heat, where Craig will be playing this time round, and we have to play them away in our first game.

“That’s the first game up for us, so I’m really looking forward to it.

“We’re both very fierce competitors and won’t be holding anything back, so Craig will definitely be a handful.

“Craig has had a fantastic season, and while I hope he doesn’t do too well in the first game I hope he’s successful in the rest of the tournament.

“To be batting with Craig keeping wicket will be quite interesting, but I hope I don’t have to because if I do we’ll be in trouble or I’ll have to try to hit the winning runs!”

Pete Trego, who topped 1,000 runs in all one-day games for Somerset this summer, flew out to New Zealand on Tuesday for a three-month stint with Central District in their domestic T20 and four day competition.

He said: “I have big personal goals out there, like my batting, especially in four-day cricket, which was an area of my season which wasn’t as pleasing as I’d hoped.

“I’ve got a lot of hard work in front of me over the next three months.

“I return to England at the end of January when I’ll be able to catch up with the lads and put in the hard yards for next season.”

With the 2014 campaign less than 24 weeks away, Somerset launch their membership campaign on Monday, November 4 – the day the players return for winter training.