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My First Somerset Century: Tom Abell
Some of the finest players ever to have graced the game have taken to the field for Somerset County Cricket Club over the years.
These players have created some of the most memorable moments in the history of our great Club.
Over the next few weeks we will be taking a closer look at some of Somerset’s most famous batters, with special focus falling on their first century for the Club.
Today we head back to 2015 to look at the first Somerset hundred of Tom Abell.
Tom made his debut for Somerset in 2014, making a classy 95 against Warwickshire in the County Championship. Since then he has gone on to represent the Club on 246 occasions across the formats, scoring more than 10,000 runs. In total he has scored 19 hundreds for Somerset.
After making such an impact on his debut, Tom had to wait until September the following year to reach three figures. He achieved the feat against Hampshire at Taunton.
Somerset Captain, Marcus Trescothick won the toss and elected to field first.
The Hampshire first innings saw the visitors dismissed for 240 thanks largely to Luke Ronchi equaling the Club record for the most dismissals in a First Class innings. He accounted for seven Hampshire batters whilst Jamie Overton was the pick of the bowlers, claiming four for 37.
The Somerset reply started strongly with both Trescothick and Abell reaching their half centuries as the hosts finished day one on 147 without loss.
The Somerset openers shared a remarkable stand of 272.
Abell reached three figures for the first time for the Club from 155 balls. He eventually fell for a superb 131 from 203 deliveries. His innings included 20 fours.
Trescothick went on to make 153 and Tom Cooper also made a century as Somerset declared on 630 for nine.
Batting for a second time, Jimmy Adams made 136 to help ensure that Hampshire held out for a draw as they reached 411 for four.
Although Somerset were unable to clinch the victory, it was a pleasure to see two of the Club’s finest batters of recent times demonstrating their talents.
