A seven-year stint which included winning the 2019 One-Day Cup, reaching T20 Blast Finals Day in 2022 and finishing as County Championship runners-up twice comes to an end, with Abell admitting "there have been some great times and some tough times"
Somerset are searching for a new club captain after Tom Abell stood down seven years into the role.
The Taunton-born 29-year-old took charge ahead of the 2017 season and led in more than 100 matches across formats.
Among the highlights was leading Somerset to the One-Day Cup in 2019, twice finishing second in the County Championship and reaching T20 Finals Day in 2022. In the Covid-affected 2020 season, Somerset also reached the Bob Willis Trophy final.
Recent years have seen captaincy split between formats, with Lewis Gregory having had two spells as T20 skipper including during last year's run to the Blast title. Meanwhile, Sean Dickson led during last season's One-Day Cup while Abell represented Welsh Fire in the men's Hundred.
Abell celebrates his one and only Championship century of 2023 against Lancashire (Harry Trump/Getty Images)
Central to the decision, according to Abell, was his form during the 2023 summer. In the Championship he scored 622 runs at 31.10, with one century and two fifties, while in the Blast he struck 312 runs at 26 in 16 matches.
"I'm stepping down with a heavy heart," Abell explained. "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'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.
Recent seasons have seen the captaincy shared around, with Lewis Gregory often leading the T20 side (Harry Trump/Getty Images)
"I didn't have a great season in 2023 and it can be tough to lead when you're not necessarily content with your own performance. This will give me the opportunity to get back to where I need to be, which is contributing to Somerset winning games of cricket."
Director of cricket Andy Hurry added: "Tom has a huge role to play in the future of the club, and what's important now is that we continue to support Tom to grow even more as a player and enable him to focus on his performances so that he can reach even greater heights within the game.
"I would also like to share with him how grateful we all are for the sacrifices and unselfish acts that he has undertaken to lead and support our needs. We will all be forever grateful."
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