PETER Trego believes cricket is “in dangerous territory” as he prepares for his 21st season in the professional game.

The 36-year-old, who played eight Championship matches last season and is looking to contribute in all formats again, is optimistic about Somerset's chances this summer but sees the outlook as bleaker for the wider game.

"Looking in the press, regarding the payments to Test match grounds, we're in potentially dangerous territory and the game could become very top-heavy,” he said.

"I think there's a genuine difference between the First and Second Divisions over the last decade or so, so it's going to be a very tight league this year.”

Trego’s comments echo the feelings of many Somerset supporters who are unhappy by the aforementioned payments – which also led to the resignation from the ECB board of former chairman Andy Nash - as well as issues such as the new T20 tournament, which has overlooked Taunton as a host venue.

The suspicion that a ‘big eight’ are being promoted above the rest only add to the importance of Somerset’s continuing status as a Division One side.

They are the longest serving side in the top tier, giving them a voice to be reckoned with, but are being tipped to struggle by several pundits this season.

Trego knows as well as anyone how vital it is that Somerset stay at the top table, and insists the side are eager to reverse the recent trend of slow starts which have led to them playing catch-up as the season goes on.

"We don't know what a good start is... we always have a shocker! It's something that we're very mindful of,” he said.

"We say the same thing every year about getting off to a better start, and how we do that has been a little bit of a mystery, but I think having prepared in the marquee on an English wicket, we've done everything we feel we can do to get into that situation of making a better start.

"We'll just have to wait and see, but I know the players are aware of the challenges ahead and I think that's important.

"Often in the past we've been along the lines of 'we've got so much ability in the dressing room', this that and the other, but this season it's all about hard work, hard graft and that should set a good tone for the start of the season.

"The last three or four seasons, bar the last one, we've gone into the last three games knowing you could potentially win it or go down, that's how tight it is, and I don't see it being any different this year. 

"I would be amazed if there was a runaway winner, but you never know. It's going to be a grind, that's for sure.”

Having been a key part of the Somerset side which enjoyed productive campaigns during Andy Hurry’s previous tenure, Trego has been pleased to welcome back the director of cricket during the close season.

"It's been like old times really," he said.

"For the guys like myself, Tres and Hildreth, it's a very familiar vibe with Andy Hurry - Sarge as we call him - coming back to the club.

"And Jason has been a fixture at Somerset since the early to mid 90s, so it does have a nice, familiar feel to it.

"Jason in particular has had so much to do with the core of the squad, that have all come through the Academy under his tenure.

"So the guys are all in good spirits and looking forward to a good season, as soon as this weather starts to dry up.

"I don't think anyone involved in cricket can remember a pre-season like this.

"My brother's just taken over the groundsmanship up at Weston-super-Mare CC, and he's pulling his hair out. There's club cricketers on social media asking for the season to be put back as well.

“I really feel for the clubs of the local area and all round the country that must just be absolutely nowhere in their preparation.”

As a player widely regarded as unfortunate not to have received international honours over his playing career, Trego was nonetheless delighted to see his teammates Craig Overton and Jack Leach representing England over the winter.

"I'm sure Craig will continue to be a quality cricketer like we all know he is, and Leachy has been fantastic for us the last few years - he showed his ability on a flat pitch in New Zealand,” he said.

“Even though he didn't get a huge wicket haul, I think he bowled with great maturity, and that will be a huge advantage to Somerset.

"Jamie [Overton] is going to be even more spurred on to follow his brother into the England shirt, so that should bring some great performances for Somerset.”

SOMERSET begin their County Championship campaign against Worcestershire at the Cooper Associates County Ground on Friday – see Thursday’s County Gazette for a season preview pull-out.