Marcus Trescothick believes his Somerset opening partner Arul Suppiah's success this season can be traced back to a couple of low-key friendlies in freezing April.

The right-hander only flew back to England from his native Malaysia in pre-season after a wrangle over his work permit.

But Suppiah hit the ground running with centuries in friendlies against Derbyshire and Glamorgan that ensured that he, rather than Neil Edwards, who has now joined Nottinghamshire, got the nod to partner Trescothick at the top of the order.

Suppiah passed 1,000 runs in a campaign for the first time in his career during the drawn Championship match at Durham which was finally washed out yesterday.

"It is a great achievement for him in his first full season," said Trescothick. "He has batted pretty well and especially in the last couple of games.

"He played pre-season pretty well and gave himself the chance by getting a couple of good scores and he has taken his chance and as it has turned out we have played with the same sort of line-up most games.

"He has kept accumulating runs all the time and got the odd hundred in between and given himself every chance to be in the side."

Suppiah's flamboyant wristy drives, cuts and pulls make him an entertaining player to watch. "He makes me look pretty average the way he has played against these boys," joked Marcus Trescothick.

"It is encouraging to see someone else come in and get big runs and taking their attack on a tough pitch.

"It is crucial that we get the next group of players to come through. Myself and Justin (Langer) and Caddy (Andy Caddick) are players who will soon disappear from the fold so you have to bring on the likes of (James) Hildreth, Max (Waller), Arul and the next generation after that."

Somerset return to Taunton for their final two Champion- ship games, against Lancashire and Worcestershire.

Pace bowler Charl Willoughby has 47 first-class wickets to his name and will be looking to go past 50 for Somerset CCC for the fourth season running. But he admits running in over after over on the Taunton featherbeds means you "learn a lot about yourself".

"It has not been too bad a season. It is tough playing Championship cricket in Division One but when you get on wickets like Durham's you have to take advantage," said Willoughby, who claimed five for 56 in Durham's one innings.

"At Taunton you have to bide your time and be as disciplined as you can because you are not going to get much opportunity for big wicket hauls. You learn a lot about yourself bowling at Taunton and what you can and can't do. It has its advantages but it is nice to get away sometimes."

Somerset CCC still hope to finish second in the Division One table. If they do they will earn £225,000 in prize money – more than Durham got for winning it last year after the ECB dramatically increased the rewards for success.

Durham will collect £500,000 (up from £100,000) when they clinch the title next week. The second-placed side will share £175,000 among the team with £50,000 going to the club.

Somerset were docked one point yesterday for bowling too slowly during Durham's first innings of 272. It seemed after what was only effectively half a game on a pitch that did not turn.

They are back in action on Tuesday when they host Essex Eagles at Taunton in the Pro40 League (4.40). The Sabres will claim the Division One title if they win their final four games.