TOM Abell has backed in-form Somerset to end their Kent hoodoo and seal a home quarter-final in the Vitality Blast.

Somerset are top of the South Group ahead of the trip to Canterbury tonight, but Kent have won 13 of the past 14 matches between the two sides in all competitions, including an eight-wicket rout in July’s reverse fixture in Taunton.

Since then, however, Somerset have been on a roll and go into the rematch on a seven-game winning streak.

Abell said: “We are under no illusions – we know we haven’t played well against them recently.

“But there is probably no better time to play them than now, with the run we are on.

“The fact we have won seven on the bounce and not yet sealed a home quarter-final shows the strength of the competition – anyone can beat anyone.

“We will back ourselves to beat anyone in the knockout rounds, home or away, but of course it would be nice to play here. Our support is phenomenal and there is no feeling like winning in front of the Taunton crowd.”

Abell had played just four T20s prior to this campaign but has been an ever-present in the shortest format this summer, playing some important middle-order knocks.

He said: “I would like to be more consistent in this format to help the side out more, but I am enjoying my role in the side and I’m loving being a part of it.

“I’ve obviously handed over the [captaincy] reins to Lewis [Gregory] for this competition and he has been absolutely fantastic in the role.

“We are playing a positive brand of cricket, our overseas players have settled in really well and we have really gelled as a team.

“T20 can be a strange one as anyone can turn up on the day and win their side the game, but we have match-winners all the way down our line up which means we can be positive throughout the 20 overs.

“Take Roela [Roelof van der Merwe] coming in at eight – most teams would give their right arm for a player as talented as him in that position.”

Abell also outlined the squad’s determination to make the denouement of Johann Myburgh’s career as memorable as possible, the batsman having announced last week that he is to retire at the end of the season.

“Johann has had a huge impact on everyone in the squad and he’s probably the most popular member of the dressing room,” Abell said.

“He is the nicest guy you could ever wish to meet and we are desperate to help him go out on a high.”

Somerset squad to face Kent:
Tom Abell, Corey Anderson, Josh Davey, Steve Davies, Lewis Gregory (c), James Hildreth, Johann Myburgh, Craig Overton, Jamie Overton, Jerome Taylor, Peter Trego, Roelof van der Merwe, Max Waller​.