SOMERSET captain Tom Abell has reiterated his belief that his side can avoid relegation as they prepare for the final three games of the season, starting with the visit of Lancashire tomorrow (Tuesday).

The hosts' confidence was boosted by last week's emphatic 169-run victory at Edgbaston, in which Abell scored two important half-centuries and picked up his first win as captain in the process.

Looking back at the result, he said: "It was a special feeling and there were some brilliant individual performances, and it was particularly pleasing to see everyone contribute in the way they did.

"I have been desperate to lead from the front this season and of course it has been tough at times, so it was nice to contribute and especially sweet to do so in a winning cause."

Abell's upturn in form has come as a result of moving into the middle order having started the season at number three but, when asked whether he will be shifting back up, the 23-year-old said he was "not fussy" as to where he bats.

"I'm enjoying it at five and it's a different skill coming in and facing the old ball," he said.

"I feel like I'm hitting the ball much better than I was at the start of the season, and hopefully that can continue."

While the batsmen have struggled throughout this season, there has been no such trouble for the bowlers.

Reflecting on their form, Abell said: "As a unit, our bowlers have been outstanding this season and given us opportunities in every game.

"Craig Overton has been on another level all year but it would be unfair to overlook the role the other bowlers have played.

"Leachy [Jack Leach] has been phenomenal on all surfaces and Bessy [Dom Bess] has continued his progress, while the likes of Tim Groenewald, Paul van Meekeren and Josh Davey have all bowled really well when called upon."

Having bounced back from the crushing defeat at leaders Essex a fortnight ago with a win last time out, Somerset now have three games with which to shape their destiny.

They go into this week's match against Lancashire 13 points behind both Yorkshire and Middlesex - who visit Taunton in the season's final week - and, while Abell appreciates the difficulty of the challenge ahead, the batsman believes his side have what it takes to stay up.

"It was a gutting result at Essex, but we sat down before the Warwickshire game and I asked the batsmen to play with a bit more freedom," he said.

"I appreciate that can be difficult to do in the situation we're in, but we got off to a good start on day one at Edgbaston, which set the tone, and I think several of our batsmen are starting to find their rhythm again.

"Within the squad I have just been emphasising how much quality there is in our ranks - obviously it is a blow not to have Lewis [Gregory] and Jamie [Overton] available, but these things happen in professional sport and I'm confident we have the strength in depth to deal with that.

"We know if we can get two wins from our final three games we'll give ourselves a real chance - it will be tough but I'm fully confident in our ability to do it."

Somerset squad to face Lancashire at Taunton: Tom Abell (c), Marcus Trescothick, Eddie Byrom, George Bartlett, James Hildreth, Steve Davies (wk), Peter Trego, Craig Overton, Dom Bess, Jack Leach, Tim Groenewald, Roelof van der Merwe, Paul van Meekeren.​

For reports and reaction  at the end of each day's play, see somersetcountygazette.co.uk/sport