TOM Lammonby is back at the Cooper Associates County Ground after spending a winter playing Grade Cricket in Australia and time with the rest of the squad at Desert Springs.

The 25 year old, who bats and bowls left handed, hails from Exeter and came through the Devon age groups before joining the Academy at Somerset, where he made his first class debut in 2020, taking his first wicket and scoring his maiden championship century on the same day against Gloucestershire.

Last season Tom enjoyed a successful season, scoring 810 runs at the top of the order in the championship, while in the Metro Bank Cup he scored 390 runs and topped the bowling averages with 15 wickets at an average of 19.33.

After a lengthy bowling spell in the nets Tom, who is 25, said: “It was good to go away with the boys to Desert Springs but it’s great to be back home and out here playing on the grass. I’m really excited to be back and looking forward to the summer.

“My winter out in Australia went well- I started my time with a century and ended with another century, and it was really nice to be able to go out there and play some cricket. A big thing for me was that I got to bowl quite a lot and get some overs under my belt. It was good to get the chance to bowl with the new ball and hopefully it’s something I might get the chance to do this summer.”

Regarding his bowl in the nets, Tom said: “It was nice to get out there and have a chance to bowl at the skipper this morning and hopefully I did alright.

“I got a really good opportunity with the ball in the 50 over competition last season, and when I got the chance I bowled more overs and took some wickets which was nice - I have been really pleased with how my bowling has come along over the winter and looking forward to showing that this summer as well.”

Regarding his batting in 2025, he said: “ I was a bit disappointed that I didn’t make a 1000 runs in the championship but in patches it was there so I will be looking for more of the same and more consistently throughout the coming summer. I want to really try to dominate the first class scene which is an exciting goal I have set for myself.

“I’m not 100% but I think I will be at the top of the order again this season and fingers crossed I will get a few more overs in the championship. Batting comes first with me but if there is an opportunity with the ball I’m always ready to take it.

“I’d also definitely like to get a chance to play in the T20 side - it’s been a while now since I played but it would definitely be nice to have the opportunity again.”

Tom added: “I’m definitely looking forward to the Notts game and it should be great down here to start the season. If the weather is nice it’s always a great place to play, the crowd is always good for champo matches so we are all looking forward to that.”