ALL-rounder Roger Sillence underlined his credentials as a key player for Worcestershire with a stunning display with bat and ball in his side's 16-run warm-up game win against Essex at Chelmsford.

Playing the first match of back-to-back 50-over games, Worcestershire were in deep trouble as the hosts' bowlers ran riot, leaving them in disarray at 52-5.

However, Sillence strode to the crease and took the score to 148 before Graeme Hick was caught by Mark Pettini off Grant Flower for 38.

Kabir Ali soon joined Sillence and they put on 69 in quick time to lead the County to a defendable 255-7. Kabir was unbeaten on 46, while Sillence clubbed 89 not out.

Varun Chopra (67) and Ryan ten Doeschate (47) threatened to take Essex close to victory but three wickets apiece for Kabir, Nadeem Malik and the impressvie Sillence sealed the win for Steve Rhodes' men.