Somerset seamer Alfonso Thomas is ready to add yet another Twenty20 prize to his decorated career in the shortest format.
Thomas has won titles in three different countries in the past two years, most recently in Australia as the Perth Scorchers won the Big Bash League in February.
After some close calls with Somerset before the 37-year-old - who has taken the second most Twenty20 wickets in the world since 2004 – is ready to go all the way.
Somerset’s NatWest Twenty20 Blast campaign begins with the trip to derby rivals Gloucestershire on Friday night, and the wily veteran thinks it is the perfect way to get things rolling.
“I have had a lot of success in Twenty20 cricket over the years and we start this week with the big derby game on Friday at Bristol,” Thomas told the club’s website.
“We have got a strong squad this year, but the make up is slightly different.
“We are stronger in the bowling department and even though we don’t have the big finishers in the batting line-up if you look at the top four or five batsmen there is a huge amount of talent and it’s the sort of line-up that I wouldn’t want to be bowling against in every game.”
Thomas will form a feared pace attack with fiery Aussie left-armer Dirk Nannes.
Together the pair have taken more than 450 Twenty20 wickets, with Nannes the fourth most prolific wicket-taker in the shortest format.
Gloucestershire’s Australian skipper Michael Klinger expects a white-hot atmosphere at Bristol with a warm night forecast.
“The Somerset game is a fantastic prospect and it promises to be a huge night for everyone involved with our club,” he said.
“We have a few new game plans in place for Twenty20 cricket this season and the fact that we start with a two-point deficit in our group means we have nothing to lose.
“The atmosphere at the ground on Friday will be amazing and we will do all we can to give our supporters a night to remember.”
Gloucestershire hope David Payne will have recovered from a bruised, while Ian Cockbain is in line for a call-up.
Sussex Sharks welcome Surrey to the BrightonandHoveJobs.com County Ground bolstered by Chris Jordan and Luke Wright, but fellow England man Matt Prior remains sidelined with an Achilles complaint.
The hosts boast further international experience in the form of Pakistan seamer Yasir Arafar, who is also fresh from glory Down Under with the Scorchers.
Pacemen Stuart Meaker and Jade Dernbach are set to spearhead the Surrey attack having been rested for the four-wicket LV=County Championship win over Gloucestershire.
James Vince takes on Hampshire’s captaincy for the first time in the shortest format when Glamorgan visit the Ageas Bowl.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Wheater is back in the hosts’ squad following a hand injury, alongside returning spinner Danny Briggs.
Vince’s opposite number Jim Allenby will have fond memories from last season’s trip to the south coast, when the Australian all-rounder picked up the man-of-the-match award as Glamorgan booked a place in the Yorkshire Bank 40 final at Hampshire’s expense.