Tom Abell Leads Somerset to Thrilling Victory Over Warwickshire

Tom Abell's masterful century led Somerset to a remarkable five-wicket victory over Warwickshire, successfully chasing down 410 on the final day of the Vitality County Championship Division One match at Taunton.

Abell, the former club captain, finished unbeaten on 152 from 207 balls, hitting 14 fours and two sixes, as Somerset reached their target with 4.2 overs remaining. Tom Banton contributed 81, James Rew added an unbeaten 57, and Tom Kohler-Cadmore scored 49 after Warwickshire declared their second innings at 281 for 8 overnight.

This achievement marked the second-highest successful fourth-innings run chase in Somerset's history, earning them 20 points and moving them to second place in the Division One table, while Warwickshire secured seven points.

Knowing a strong start was essential, Andy Umeed batted aggressively, scoring 30 out of the 44 runs on the board before edging a delivery from Oliver Hannon-Dalby to wicketkeeper Michael Burgess. Kohler-Cadmore batted with caution, but Somerset lost another wicket at 77 when Tom Lammonby top-edged a pull shot off Michael Booth, with Ed Barnard taking a tumbling catch at fine leg.

Kohler-Cadmore, curbing his attacking instincts for much of the morning, hit left-arm spinner Jacob Bethell over long-on for six just before lunch, taken at 117 for 2, with Kohler-Cadmore on 35 and Abell on 25. The pair completed a half-century stand off 92 balls in the afternoon session, but Kohler-Cadmore fell for 49, edging Hannon-Dolby to third-man, where Barnard caught him.

Abell reached his fifty off 92 balls with an on-driven boundary off Hannon-Dalby, and he and Banton took few risks before tea, ensuring Warwickshire didn't gain further success. Banton's half-century came off 76 balls and included four fours and a six.

Entering the final session, Somerset needed 188 runs from a minimum of 33 overs. Abell and Banton brought up their century partnership off 158 balls, and Banton then attacked Bethell, lofting him for six over long-on. Somerset appeared to be in control, needing 131 runs with 25 overs remaining.

Warwickshire needed a breakthrough, which came when Banton, attempting to force a short ball from Barnard, was caught at mid-wicket by Yates for 81 off 109 balls, including seven fours and two sixes. Somerset promoted Migael Pretorius to accelerate the scoring, but he was dismissed for 14 off ten balls, top-edging a catch to cover off Will Rhodes, leaving Somerset at 299 for 5 and needing 111 runs from the final 20 overs.

Rew, who had struggled for runs this summer, joined Abell and hit a classic extra cover drive for four off Rhodes. Abell reached a chanceless hundred off 171 balls with nine fours. Rew then slog-swept Bethell for four and followed it with a straight six. With 85 runs needed, the final hour was signalled with 16 overs remaining.

Warwickshire delayed taking the new ball, opting instead for Dan Mousley, whose two overs went for 12 runs. When Hannon-Dalby eventually took the new ball, 54 runs were needed from 11 overs. Abell and Rew had completed a half-century stand off 51 balls by then.

The pair accelerated, finishing the match with a flurry of boundaries. Rew reached his fifty off 51 balls, and Abell sealed the memorable victory with a pulled six off Booth.