SOMERSET all-rounder Jim Allenby has described the current squad as “comfortably the strongest” in his three years at the club and admitted that he may have to accept playing less four-day cricket as a result.

The 34-year-old, who has spent the winter working with Big Bash teams in Australia, told the County Gazette that the competition for places is more intense than ever going into what players and supporters are hoping will be a title-chasing season.

“It’s going to be tough as some really good players will be left out, but that’s part and parcel of being a Somerset cricketer now,” he said.

“It’s a strong squad, but if you want to be in one of the best teams you’ve got to be one of the best players so we’re going to have guys that are good enough to play in most teams but don’t make our side.

“That group includes myself in four-day cricket as well – having played near enough every game for the last 10 years I am aware that I may not play every game here at Somerset, but you have to accept that and equally I hope that guys I have to leave out in one-day cricket accept that too.

“It’s a squad mentality here – guys who are not playing want the team to win and they really mean that, it’s not just a front, which is a sign of a strong squad and a good club.”

Allenby has scored 10 first-class fifties in his two seasons with Somerset but, despite some more-than-useful contributions, is yet to progress past 64 against the red ball and is still awaiting his first century for the club in any format.

His bowling remains a reliable weapon on all surfaces, however, and having taken took 21 wickets and gone at less than two-and-a-half an over in 2016, Allenby will certainly have an important role to play across all competitions again.

Speaking about the depth available at the Cooper Associates County Ground, Allenby said: “This is comfortably the strongest squad in my time – my first year here was also Matt [Maynard]’s first so it was a transitional period.

“Last season we developed further and this year we have kept our first-team players and added high-class individuals to that. It’s going to be even harder to get a game, and the guys that do get picked will be unwilling to give up their spots which should drive up performance.”

As one-day captain, the talent pool means Allenby will have some difficult decisions to make, and the former Glamorgan and Leicestershire man admitted he has been pleasantly surprised by the progress of the club’s young prospects over the winter.

“I am amazed by what I’ve seen so far – there are guys that I didn’t know were as good as they are,” he said.

“We’ve managed to look at most of them through pre-season and it’s hard to name names as you don’t want to miss anyone out, but even Tom Abell is still a young player who has shown through the 50-over games how well he’s adapted his game to that format.

“Ben Green’s come back from injury and got two wickets straight away, Ollie Sale has done the same and George Bartlett’s had a great winter.

“To see these guys doing so well is impressive but equally for them to be around us and see the standards we set ourselves is important because it’s a big step up from second XI cricket.

“I really hope they can bridge that gap really quickly because the talent is there, and if they can then I will have no issues in playing those guys at all.”

He may need to do just that, with Somerset still yet to announce an overseas player for the T20 Blast, but Allenby remains optimistic that a deal can be done.

“I hope we will be able to bring someone in – it is budget dependent and the focus here is massively on Championship cricket so that will be prioritised and we will see what we have left for T20,” he said.

“What I don’t expect is a huge name – Chris Gayle has been here in the past and brought a lot of media attention but I’m not sure the budget is there for a player like him.

“We’ve learned a lot from our mistakes regarding short-term signings – it would be great to have someone for the duration as then we can build them into our game plan.

“It’s certainly not a case of bringing someone in for two or three games and then off they go again, as that hasn’t worked in the past.

“If we had someone for half that is probably ok, but any less than that I don’t think would be worthwhile and we will make up the rest of that time with our own players as I think the talent is there.”

Allenby will be hoping to feature in Somerset’s season opener against Essex – join us for over-by-over coverage of day one on Friday and reports over the weekend.

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