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Tom Abell, who struggled with form during the 2023
season, has resigned as Somerset’s captain effective immediately.
Prior to the 2017 season, Abell, 29, was named
Somerset’s captain. He guided the team to victory in the 2019 Royal London Cup
and three runner-up positions in red-ball competitions: second in the County
Championship in 2018 and 2019, the Bob Willis Trophy final in the summer of
2020 affected by Covid.
Somerset did win a trophy in 2023 when they won the
Vitality Blast. But, Lewis Gregory had taken over as team captain after Abell
left after their season’s run to the semi-finals, and Abell had chosen to step
down from his position due to a poor seventh-place showing in the Championship
and a decline in his own play.
“I’m stepping down with a heavy heart,”
Abell said. “As a Somerset boy it’s been a massive privilege to captain
the club and the experience has been incredible. It’s not been an easy
decision, but I’ve thought about it a lot and I believe that it is in the best
interests of the team and the club. Sometimes change can be a good thing and I
think that now is the right time. My decision is entirely based on what I feel
is best for us moving forward.
“During the last seven seasons there have been
some great times and some tough times. I’m so grateful for the support that
I’ve received, and Andy Hurry and Jason Kerr have been tremendous allies. I’ve
had a tremendous support network behind me, especially my family, and I’ve been
lucky enough to be a part of some great teams with some great players, who have
helped to keep me in the job for so long!”
Hurry, the Director of Cricket at Somerset, stated
that throughout Abell’s seven seasons in command, the team had been guided with
“distinction”.
“Everyone connected with Somerset will agree that
he has been an absolute credit to the club both on and off the pitch,”
Hurry stated. “His conduct, commitment, leadership and dedication have
been exemplary during his time in the role, and he has written himself into the
history of the club forever.”