Former Proteas fast bowler Kyle Abbott claimed record-breaking innings figures of 9-40 in Hampshire’s County Championship Division One against Somerset at the Rose Bowl in Southampton this week.

Abbott’s telling haul featured the dismissals of Indian Test opener Murali Vijay, former England wicketkeeper-batsman Steven Davies and the middle-order trio of James Hildreth, George Bartlett and Tom Abell.

The figures marked the best for Hampshire in first-class cricket since seamer Cardigan Connor’s 9-38 in 1996.

‘I didn’t expect that when I woke up this morning. It was nice to get a couple early and then got on a little bit of a roll and it’s got us into a nice position,’ said Abbott.

‘As soon as I came back I heard all the stats. It is all nice to have. There was an opportunity to put them under pressure and we did – they have a Championship on the line.’

The 32-year-old Abbott played 11 Tests, 28 ODIs and 21 T20Is between 2013 and 2017 before pursuing a career in the United Kingdom.

‘I made a lot of friends here during my last spell and it just felt like the right place for me. I’ve been comfortable for a long time, to be honest. I’ve always felt like Hampshire was a home for me. It was a pretty easy transition across here,’ he said at the time.

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