ALFONSO Thomas has just returned from Australia where he has been helping Perth Scorchers to win the Big Bash T20, writes Richard Walsh.

But he won’t be here for long because he will be travelling to South Africa with the rest of his Somerset team mates for a two week training camp in Pretoria.

Thomas said: “It’s fantastic to be back here in Taunton to see the family and now to catch up with the guys at the County Ground.

“The guys all look like they have been working really hard during the winter which is a good thing and everyone is now looking forward to going off to South Africa where a lot of the boys will get their first taste of playing on the grass since last season.

“Pretoria is my old hunting ground so I will definitely make sure that they boys are well fed and well looked after while they are out there.

“I walked into my first session back on Monday and I could see the boys had really upped the intensity. They looked sharp and they looked strong so I am hoping that they can take this out onto the field with them.

“I am really looking to the new season and there is a certain buzz about the place this year. A lot of the guys have been here over the winter and now everyone is looking forward to going out to South Africa and then returning back here to get going.”

Since early December Alfonso has been out in Australia playing in the Big Bash for Perth Scorchers and had a key role in helping them to lift the trophy for the first time.

He added: “The Big Bash has seen a lot of money invested by Channel 10.

“It was a good tournament from a team point of view. I didn’t start on the best of notes and had one or two back issues but I got sorted out and came good as the tournament went on. To win the trophy and go one step further this year was just fantastic.”