Abell commits future to Somerset by signing new contract

Tom Abell, who at 23 has scored more than 2,000 first-class runs, will now remain at the County Ground until 2021

^{Tom Abell has signed a new Somerset contract}

Somerset captain Tom Abell has committed himself to the county by putting pen to paper on a new contract at Taunton.

Abell, who at 23 has scored more than 2,000 first-class runs, will now remain at the County Ground until 2021.

The batsman - Somerset's 2018 skipper in the County Championship and Royal London One-Day Cup - was delighted to extend his stay with the club.

"I’m absolutely delighted to have committed my future to Somerset. It’s amazing to have the opportunity to represent and lead the club," he said.

^{Abell will captain the county in 2018}

"Taunton is the only place that I want to be playing and I hope that I can help the team to achieve the goals that we are all so desperate to achieve in the near future.

"The club, players, Members and all the staff here are a pleasure to be around, and I’m excited for what is to come at the club with this group of players. I hope that we can repay some of the faith that the supporters have shown in us with some silverware."

Somerset director of cricket Andy Hurry said: "It’s a great sign for the future that Tom has extended his commitment to the club.

"Having progressed through the Somerset age-group system and the Somerset Academy, Tom has demonstrated that he is a player with huge potential and he is an integral part of the team both on and off the field.

"We are really pleased that one of the most exciting young batsman in the country has committed his future to the club."