TOM Abell is set to start his 12th season since making his first class debut for Somerset and hoping to continue the good form of 2024 when, despite missing the first part through injury, he scored 657 runs with three centuries including a career best 152 not out at an average of over 50.

“I was gutted to be injured at the start of last season because I felt like I was ready to go. Then I had to sit out for six or seven weeks.

“However, I was fortunate enough to be part of the group as we pushed for the championship title. Unfortunately it was in vain but we are certainly coming back this year hoping to be in a similar position come the end of the season.”

Tom went on: “Its no secret here that championship cricket is a huge deal and we place a lot of pride and emphasis on performing well in the competition. Last year was brilliant and our best year in red ball cricket for a long time and that has reinvigorated that energy and passion within the group to keep ourselves at the top.

“We enjoyed our cricket and we were competing and winning against top teams and that’s where we want to be and I don’t see any reason why we can’t be in that same position come the end of the season.”

Tom stepped down from the captaincy after the 2023 season, a post he’d fulfilled since 2017 so how different was it going to be approaching the season without that role?

“You can’t really compare to be honest. Captaincy is a completely different role and you have to think about the whole group, about teams and every single person within every decision you make. There are so many aspects that you have to consider, whereas now I’m back among the group as a player.

“There are elements of captaincy that I have enjoyed and I miss but equally it’s great to be back being part of the group and having a bit more focus on myself and my own game. It’s always been the case that I want to lead from the front with the bat and there have certainly been times when I haven’t done that and I guess I don’t have any excuses now not to perform and score runs. I can have a little more time to work on the things that I want t work on.”

Does Tom still hold aspirations to play for England? “Absolutely, that’s never going to diminish but of course things are always changing but the desire is certainly still there but I just want play well, that’s my focus.

“For me I want to play well and I hope that leads to the next stage but all I can control is how I go about things and how I perform for Somerset.”

Finally where does Tom see himself in the batting line up for Somerset in 2025? “I haven’t given that any thoughts but I’m sure that Lewis and the coaching staff will have been thinking about it and what’s our best way forward. We all want the same things and everyone is happy to fit in and I’d be happy to bat anywhere but probably anywhere in the top four.”