Buckinghamshire-born Hildreth joined Somerset's first team in 2003

Somerset captain Marcus Trescothick says batsman James Hildreth has been a key player, as his side close in on the top of the South Group FP t20 table.

Hildreth, 25, tops the county's batting average for the competition with 37.5 runs per game.

Trescothick said: "Hildy's played great all season. He keeps the basis of the team together. He's great against the spinners and plays a great role for us.

"The big hitters play around him, but he still scores better-than-average."

Trescothick says Wednesday's game at Glamorgan gives his side a great chance of finishing the group stage at the summit of the table.

The county currently lie behind Sussex by virtue of their inferior net run-rate in the South table and have already qualified for the quarter-finals.

"We want to finish top of the group," he asserted. "That would be a great achievement as we had a few losses near the start of the competition."

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