The paper presents results of numerical simulations of quasi-static shear deformation of a polydisperse system of soft elastic spheres with interface friction and adhesion. Both axisymmetric compression and axisymmetric extension tests have been simulated. In each case, two shear simulations were performed: one in which the mean stress was maintained constant and the other in which the system was deformed at constant volume. In addition to the macroscopic stress-strain behaviour obtained, details are provided about the evolution of various internal variables associated with the micromechanics occurring at the particle scale.