Devon Cricket Board - Gayle to meet and greet fans at Trego benefit game

Gayle to meet and greet fans at Trego benefit game

SOMERSET’S big-hitting West Indian Chris Gayle will be a guest of honour at tomorrow’s Peter Trego benefit match being hosted by South Devon CC.
The Newton Abbot club are welcoming Somerset to Marsh Road for the first time in more than 50 years to play a game as part of Trego’s benefit year.
South Devon are the only side Somerset are playing ‘over the border’ as part of Trego’s benefit programme so a large crowd is expected.
Gayle is at Somerset on a short-term contract this season to play limited-overs cricket – and seems to have brought his World Cup form with him.
The 35-year-old Jamaican became the first player in World Cup history to slam a double century when he took 215 off Zimbabwe earlier this year.
Playing for Somerset against Kent on Sunday at Taunton, Gayle smashed an unbeaten 151 off just 62 balls.
Chris Hart, one of the benefit game organisers, was at Taunton to see Gayle assault the Kent bowling.
“He whacked balls into the church, two over the Long Room, one I reckon will have cleared the river, one clean over the Botham stand,” said Hart.
Contractual obligations prevent Gayle from playing in the game, but he will be supporting Trego by attending the game.
“He will definitely be travelling with the team to meet fans and mingle with our corporate guests,” said Hart.
“Whilst it’s a shame he won’t be playing, it is nonetheless a huge coup to get him to the ground.”
Somerset are sending a strong side to South Devon to take on the locals – and have given it a strong Devon feel.
The record-breaking Overton twins – they set a tenth-wicket record against Yorkshire last week – are included in the side. Both play for North Devon when their commitments allow.
Lewis Gregory, the former Plympton youngster who has just earned his first England one-day cap, is also in the team.
And leg-spinning all-rounder Max Waller, who plays Premier cricket for Torquay is also in the side.
Pakistani Test and one-day star Abdur Rehman has come into the team as a late replacement for Alfonso Thomas.
The full team is: P Trego, M Trescothick, C Overton, M Waller, L Gregory, J Allenby, J Davey, J Overton, A Rehman, T Groenewald, J Thorpe.
Tomorrow’s match gets under way at 5.30pm. Adult admission is £3 on the gate.

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