SOMERSET one day captain Jim Allenby was a happy man at the end of a week during which his team had won all four of their 50-over warm-up games, writes Richard Walsh.

Somerset focused on white ball cricket last week, and on Monday and Tuesday beat Sussex at Hove in two 50-over contests, before returning to Taunton Vale where they beat Worcestershire in two similar contests on Thursday and Friday.

After beating Sussex twice in as many days at the start of the week Somerset returned to home territory on Thursday, where they entertained Worcestershire, and batting first the hosts posted 318-5, Steve Davies top scoring with 65 and Allenby making 62.

Later in the order Tom Abell scored 41 and Adam Hose made an unbeaten 52.

Worcestershire were then limited to 230-9, Tim Groenewald taking 4-52 on his first appearance of the season after playing for the South v North, while Peter Trego ended with 2-29.

In Friday's game the visitors were bowled out for 155 in 47.5 overs, with Ben Green the pick of the bowlers with 2-15, in reply to which Somerset made 160-4 in 26.2 overs.

Marcus Trescothick and Hose added 72 for the first wicket before both retired, the former on 38 and Hose 30, while Bartlett made 28 before he too retired.

At the end of the week Somerset’s one day captain Jim Allenby said: “We have had a great week of white ball cricket and won four from four, but for me the manner in which we have played has been the most pleasing thing about it.

“We have treated this week’s games more like real matchdays probably than the other teams, who have chopped and changed a little bit, whereas due to a few of our guys being away we have kept a pretty settled side most of the time, and I think that has shown in most of our performances.

“As a team we have got a huge amount out of these four days and it has given me a few tough decisions to make in a few days' time.

"We have got seven or eight batsmen all scoring runs and as many bowlers taking wickets, so it's going to be really tough.

“However luckily what we have is a squad in which everyone understands that there are going to be guys missing out who are very good players, but that is part and parcel of playing for Somerset.

“We are a strong team and expect to win, and with that comes disappointed players who are good enough to play in a lot of teams.

"But we set our standards very high and that breeds competitive cricket and good performances.”

Regarding his own form Allenby said: “This week has been fantastic for me – I have had some runs and had a bit of a bowl today, and I'm just getting back into the swing of things.

“It’s been four really good days for us this week and the only headache is over selection.

"I think we are about ready to go now in our white ball cricket, but before that we are back to red ball cricket.”

He added: “Hopefully what we have done this week has kept the boys sharp – batting, bowling and fielding – and now it's back to red ball cricket, full of enthusiasm!”