Abell signs new Somerset deal
SOMERSET have announced that club captain Tom Abell has pledged his future to the County.
The 27-year-old has signed a contract extension which will see him remain at the County Ground until at least the end of the 2024 season.
His current deal was due to expire in the winter of 2022.
Abell, who played his club cricket for Taunton, attended Taunton School and Exeter University before signing his first professional contract in 2015.
He was named Young Wisden Schools Cricketer of the Year in 2013 and went on to make his debut for the Somerset First XI in a County Championship match against Warwickshire at Taunton in 2014, making an immediate impact by scoring an eye-catching 95.
He was awarded the Somerset Captaincy ahead of the 2017 season and, at the age of 23, became one of the club’s youngest ever captains.
Since making his debut, Abell has scored over 6,700 runs and taken over 50 wickets across the three formats of the game for his home county.
His outstanding performances over a sustained period of time has seen him rewarded with a place on the England Lions tour of Australia this winter.
After committing his future to the club, Abell said: “Somerset is a very special place for me, and it makes me extremely proud to have signed this extension. To have the opportunity to commit my future to the Club is an incredible feeling.
“Being at Somerset means the world to me. As a young boy all I ever wanted was to play for Somerset and there’s nowhere else I want to play my cricket. I love everything about the Club, and I’m determined to keep the team moving forward and to play my part in that.
“We’ve had some amazing moments over the last few years, and I have a huge amount of belief in everything that’s happening at the Club. I feel very fortunate to be a part of this group and signing this extension means a lot to both me and my family.”
Somerset’s director of cricket, Andy Hurry, expressed his delight that Abell has extended his time with the club adding: “Not only is Tom Abell an outstanding cricketer, he is an outstanding team man.
“The way he goes about his business, both on and off the field, is exemplary. His desire to succeed is infectious, he never gives less than 100% and he epitomises everything that this club stands for.
“Tom is a genuine leader of men, and he is held in the very highest regard, not just in our dressing room, but throughout the game as a whole.
“He has developed into a genuinely exceptional multi-format cricketer who demonstrates all the attributes that are desirable in a player and a captain. Given these attributes, we feel that he is well on course to achieving his full international aspirations.
“He has an outstanding rapport and connection with his team-mates, all the staff at the club and also with our members and supporters.
“He is Somerset through and through and we are delighted that he has committed his future to the club.”
Somerset CEO, Gordon Hollins said: “Tom is a class act. He is the epitome of what you want a club captain to be
“The manner in which he conducts himself, both on and off the field, is absolutely first class and his performances with bat, ball and in the field are there for all to see.”