SOUTH Devon Cricket Club is finalising preparations for the big game against Somerset’s stars next Tuesday (June 16) night.

Somerset’s long-serving all-rounder Lewis Gregory is celebrating his testimonial season this summer and wanted South Devon to be part of it.

A pre-match gala lunch has been arranged, a hospitality marque will be going up and food and drink will be available around the ground for spectators to take advantage of.

A limited number of £60 tickets are still available for the pre-match lunch, at which Gregory and England spinner Jack Leach will be top-table guests. The price includes admission to the game. Tables of six can be reserved at a cost of £330. Google sdcc onlineweb shop to book.

The Newton Abbot club has been hosting testimonial games for Somerset players since the 1950s when Harold Stephenson was the beneficiary. Games on behalf of James Hildreth, Marcus Trescothick, Peter Trego and Max Waller have attracted bumper crowds to the Recreational Trust ground in Marsh Road in recent summers.

South Devon’s blue chip record staging testimonial games is the reason Somerset players keep coming back.

Ian Shepherd, the South Devon CC secretary, said: “We love having Somerset here for testimonial matches and have had nothing but great feedback from all our guests over the years.

“It's a chance for the whole town to come together and watch some of the best cricketers from around the world do what they do best on the doorstep.”

South Devon don’t know yet which Somerset players will be turning out in the game, but Shepherd anticipates it being a strong side.

“We have seen in previous games that Somerset’s star players are keen to support their team-mates and will generally play unless they have been told to rest because of an injury,” said Shepherd.

South Devon will be strengthened for the game by the inclusion of a guest players from clubs in the area, including Brixham’s Pakistani professional Mo Shaikh, Devon all-rounder Harry Passenger and Stoke Gabriel’s Australian run getter Tyler Hunter.

The Twenty20 format match is due to get under way at 5.30pm.