SOMERSET captain Tom Abell has retained the position for the 2018 County Championship and will also lead the side in the Royal London One-Day Cup.

The news was announced at a press conference held at the Cooper Associates County Ground this morning (Thursday), with new coaching duo Andy Hurry (director of cricket) and Jason Kerr (head coach) also fielding questions.

Abell took on the role last season and recovered from a tough start to lead the side to Division One safety.

The white ball captaincy - in 50-over cricket - is a new role, however, and the 23-year-old admitted he couldn't wait to get started again.

"Getting announced as club captain last year was very special for me, and this year is no different," Abell said.

"Captaining the one-day side is a huge thing for me and I really think I can bring something to the side. Last year was a massive learning curve for me - it was a slightly indifferent one, both individually and as a side, but that experience will put us in good stead moving forward.

"There were tough times last year but I had fantastic people around me to help me through that, and I certainly felt those times helped me towards the end of the season and my learning came to the fore.

"The beauty of it is, despite some disappointments last year, that we get a fresh start this year.

"I love playing all formats - they bring different challenges. Our [limited overs] side is exciting, so to be given the chance to lead that is incredible."

Kerr, who confirmed there was "no doubt" over whether the decision to retain Abell as captain, added: "It was obviously a challenging time for Tom last season, but we all saw how he grew as a person. 

"He led the team brilliantly and grew in that capacity. When we made that appointment last year it wasn't a short-term fix, it was about a journey we were going to go on and to look back at how he has grown in that short space of time only bodes well for the future.

"We know he's an outstanding young man - we wouldn't have put him in that position if we didn't think he could handle it.

"He epitomises our philosophy and what we want to be about as a club, and Tom will lead that forward brilliantly."