Somerset batsman Tom Abell wins Breakthrough Player award
Wednesday 23 September 2015 07:27, UK
Young Somerset opener Tom Abell has won the 2015 LV= Breakthrough Player award.
Abell, 21, formed part of an eight-strong shortlist including Tom Curran (Surrey), Jack Leaning (Yorkshire), Alex Davies (Lancashire), Luke Wood (Nottinghamshire) Oliver Robinson (Sussex), Jamie Porter (Essex) and Craig Miles (Gloucestershire).
An expert panel including ECB performance director David Parsons, former England batsman Mark Butcher and ex-Australia Test fast bowler and current Yorkshire coach Jason Gillespie picked out six frontrunners for the award back in July with two wildcards added in August.
The public voted for Abell after a string of impressive performances, including a maiden century against Hampshire.
Along with the coveted trophy, he also wins £1,000 to donate to a grassroots cricket initiative of his choice.
Abell said: "I'm over the moon to win this season's LV= Breakthrough Player Award. I've come into some good form towards the end of the season and obviously hitting my maiden century against Hampshire a few weeks ago is a particular highlight.
"As a local lad, opening the batting with Marcus has been a dream and he's provided huge support."
Fellow opener and England Test great Marcus Trescothick said: "Tom is a very special talent and I've thoroughly enjoyed opening the batting with Tom this season and he's showed tremendous promise.
"He obviously has a lot of hard work to do if he is to emulate past winners like Joe Root but he certainly has the ability to push on in the game."
