SOMERSET captain Marcus Trescothick has compared Tom Abell’s character and approach to that of England’s Ashes winning hero, Joe Root – and backed the youngster to make it to the top of the game.

Abell hit a one day best of 80 in only his fifth 50 over match to guide Somerset to a comfortable victory over Yorkshire at Scarborough – and the former England opener believes he has what it takes to make it to the top of the game.

Trescothick said: “Tom’s technique is very sound and he knows what he is trying to achieve and the more that he does it and the more experience he can get the better he will become at the job.

“He doesn’t get easily flustered on good or bad pitches or against quick bowling or tough bowling, whatever it maybe he is pretty controlled and knows what he is trying to do.

“When you look at people like Joe Root, his character is fantastic and Tom is not dissimilar in how he approaches the game.

“It doesn’t surprise me that Tom has slotted well into the 50 over game - this is really the start of his one day career and he is learning that all the time, getting runs here and there so this is the start of big things to come for him.”

“Tom is showing all the attributes and signs at a young age to do so (make it to the top level).

“It’s really a case now of stacking up runs and backing it up year on year and putting it all together.”