Hildreth sees the Champions League as an opportunity to showcase his talents

Somerset batsman James Hildreth says the team is relishing their opening Twenty20 Champions League match against Deccan Chargers on Saturday.

The Chargers are IPL Champions and include stars such as Australians Adam Gilchrist and Andrew Symonds along with India's VVS Laxman.

"All the guys are just so excited by the challenge," the 25-year-old told BBC Radio Bristol.

"It could potentially be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a lot of us."

"Normally in county cricket you get to play against one maybe two world-class cricketers.

"When you come up against a whole XI it's a completely different prospect."

Hildreth says there is huge local interest in the tournament which was cancelled last year after terrorist attacks in Mumbai.

"There's armed guards with us everywhere and we're getting police escorts to and from training grounds and matches.

"It's on every other advert on TV and someone's mentioned they've already sold about 40,000 tickets for our match," added Hildreth.

"With all the media interest and the games being televised worldwide there's no better stage to promote yourself and do well."

Somerset Sabres take on the Deccan Chargers on Saturday 10 October in Hyderabad followed by their second group match against Trinidad and Tobago on Monday 12 October.

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