Peter David Trego, a cricket player from England, is often regarded as one of the best players of his time who never got the chance to represent his country. However, for Somerset supporters, he is considered a cult hero and a cricketer of character. Trego’s unique appeal even led to the creation of a cricket bat designed in his honor, featuring tattoos that covered his arms, such as birds, dice, and a candy skull.
Trego’s journey in cricket was not without its challenges. Despite being an allrounder with the ability to demolish bowling attacks and a skillful seamer, he temporarily abandoned cricket to play semi-professional football. It was a decision that could have cost him his career in the sport he cherished. However, Trego managed to find his way back to cricket, much to the relief of Somerset and its devoted fans.
Hailing from Somerset itself, Trego made his first appearance for the club’s second XI in 1997. He had previously represented England U19 with some success before making his debut for Somerset’s first team in 2000. Although there were some standout performances early on, including a century against West Indies A in 2002, Trego took some time to fully realize his potential and fell out of the professional game by the age of 22. It seemed that his promising career was on the brink of ending prematurely.
While he explored other opportunities, with occasional appearances for Kent, Middlesex, and Worcestershire second XI, Trego also dabbled in semi-professional football. Playing as a goalkeeper for teams like Margate, Weston-super-Mare, Clevedon Town, and Chippenham Town, he showcased his athletic prowess by scoring goals from his own half on two occasions. However, his love for cricket endured, and eventually, Trego’s determination to fight for his place in the sport he loved led him back to Somerset.
Returning to the club in 2006, Trego started to fulfill his immense potential. He showcased his power-hitting abilities with a breathtaking 135 against Derbyshire and went on to score three centuries that season. The following year, he emerged as the leading all-rounder in county cricket, scoring 836 runs at an average of 52.25 and taking 33 wickets at 34.27. Trego’s performances earned him a place in the England team for the Hong Kong Sixes in 2009 and a reputation as one of the most valuable players on the county circuit.
Despite his impressive performances, Trego never received a call-up to the England ODI team, although he did represent England Lions in 2010. He remained a sought-after player in domestic T20 leagues around the world, spending winters in New Zealand, Bangladesh, and Zimbabwe. Trego’s natural talent and versatility in limited-overs cricket made him a valuable asset for any team.
Outside the cricket field, Trego was vocal about the behavior of certain fans in Twenty20 matches, expressing his concern about the increasing levels of abuse and hooliganism. He believed that the game was at a crossroads and questioned whether the revenue and excitement generated by T20 cricket were worth the negative impact it had on the sport.
In 2019, Trego bid farewell to Somerset after losing his place in both the Championship and the Blast teams. However, he was given an opportunity to mentor young allrounders at Nottinghamshire and made an impact by contributing 31 runs off 21 balls in his T20 debut for the club, helping them win the 2020 Blast final. With an illustrious career behind him, Trego announced his retirement at the end of the 2021 summer, leaving a lasting legacy as a beloved and accomplished cricketer.