Tom Abell appointed as Somerset T20 captain

Somerset have handed Tom Abell the T20 captaincy for 2022, with Lewis Gregory stepping down in order to focus on his playing role across all formats.

Gregory led Somerset to the final of last year's Vitality Blast, where they were beaten by Kent. He will be succeeded by Abell, who is already the county's captain in Championship cricket.

"Lewis has done an outstanding job as Vitality Blast Captain," Somerset's head coach, Jason Kerr, said. "His leadership has been exemplary, and he came within a whisker of lifting the trophy last year. Under his stewardship, Somerset's T20 cricket has been on a considerable upward journey. We have won a huge number of games and have reached Finals Day twice.

"Lewis and I have discussed this subject at length, and we feel that this will give Lewis the chance to focus on what he does best, and that's making positive contributions to Somerset winning games of cricket across all formats. Lewis is a player of the very highest calibre and his on-field leadership qualities will still be vitally important for us moving forward.

"Tom has proved himself to be an outstanding multi-format leader and he has done an excellent job when called upon to lead the side in T20 cricket previously. This appointment will give us consistency within the leadership group across the game, and it is a challenge that I know Tom is relishing."

Abell has become a key member of Somerset's T20 side in recent years, despite coming to the format relatively late - when he was named Championship captain, aged 23 in 2017, he had only played a single game of professional T20.

He has since featured in the Hundred and was signed up for his first spell in the Big Bash League this winter, although he only batted once for Brisbane Heat before suffering a knee injury that also saw him ruled out of a spell at the Pakistan Super League with Karachi Kings.

"I'm humbled to have the opportunity to lead Somerset in T20 cricket as well as the County Championship," Abell said. "It feels incredibly special.

"Lewis has been a phenomenal captain and has really taken our T20 cricket to another level. I fully respect his decision, and he will continue to have a huge influence on our team. Our development in last summer's competition was clearly evident, and I certainly believe we can go one step further in 2022 and give our very special Members and supporters something to be proud of."