THOMAS Abell’s remarkable sporting achievements at Taunton School have landed him in the national spotlight.

The talented all-rounder, who left the school in the summer, has been shortlisted for the Aviva/Telegraph School Sport Matters Awards and will attend the presentation lunch at Lord’s cricket ground in London, on Wednesday.

Thomas will find himself in illustrious company as the nominations include several medal winners from the Olympic and Paralympic Games plus junior world champions and international competitors.

In fact, Thomas is one of only three pupils shortlisted for the Male Pupil of the Year, alongside Olympic diving medallist, Tom Daley.

As well as captaining the record-breaking school hockey team, who completed their second consecutive undefeated season, Thomas has been an outstanding performer at rugby, rugby sevens and indoor hockey, in which the school reached the semi-finals at the national finals.

However, it is his exploits on the cricket field for Taunton School which have made the most headlines.

Thomas finished with a total of 3,630 runs for the 1st XI, including 17 centuries and last summer he scored 1156 runs in only 11 innings. He passed 50 on every occasion, hit seven centuries and averaged 193!

Thomas was nominated by Simon Hogg, master in charge of cricket and a coach of senior rugby for many years at Taunton School.

Mr Hogg said: "I am delighted that Thomas has been shortlisted for this prestigious award as he always represented the school with such pride in all three of the major sports.

“He has been close to representing his country at hockey and cricket but this did not prevent him from playing rugby with great commitment and a huge amount of skill and passion.

“Thomas is admired and respected by all his team mates and opponents and his attitude and behaviour are exemplary.

“He has been a magnificent role model for all aspiring games players at our school and has all the best, some of which are old-fashioned, values one could wish for in a sportsman."