PETE Trego reckons the very positive mood surrounding the Somerset camp currently is an omen for a successful campaign ahead.

The 33-year-old local hero, who this year has been awarded a thoroughly-deserved benefit by the club, said: “There is a real sense of energy in the dressing room and the way the guys are instinctively going about their business is great.

“We have always had really top class work ethic at Somerset, ever since the days of Justin Langer and Andy Hurry and, since then, everyone has become involved with the club’s ethos.

“You have got the youngsters coming straight off the Academy and, within a week of being in our environment, they are fully involved and everyone is really driven and well motivated.”

Regarding the new director of cricket, Trego said: “The attitude Matt Maynard has brought to the environment in the relatively short space of time he has been here looks like we are heading for a really exciting few months ahead.”

This attitude has even had a positive effect upon Trego himself, as he explained: “As one of the more experienced players like myself to look forward to coming back to the County Ground and training in the Indoor School is something I never thought I would say, but the guys around me are making me want to say those things, which can only be a good.”

Looking further ahead, Trego went on: “It has been said many times we are nearly the best team in the country and who knows what that extra ingredient is needed to take us to the very top, but it certainly feels like we are on the right path and have set off on the right journey to achieve our aim.

“We have a great mix of players led by Marcus Trescothick and Matt Maynard and they are just the right kind of characters to work with the diverse range of ages we have in our squad and allow our younger guys to develop and flourish, which is fantastic.”

The opening event for Trego’s benefit is a dinner at the Grand Pier, Weston-super-Mare, on Saturday, January 31, tickets for which are priced at £65 per person and available from Graham Masarik on 01934-418830 or 07734-870578 On Saturday, February 7, there will be a dinner in the County Room, Somerset CCC, Taunton.

There will be entertainment from comedian Gary Marshall plus a live dance band. Tickets priced at £40 per person and are available from Richard Brice: 01823-337597 or 07870-583123