Running through the Somerset batting line-up, former South Africa pacer Kyle Abbott registered career-best figures of 9/40 in a County Championship Division One match for Hampshire at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. 

Abbott's figures were the second-best ever for a Hampshire bowler in first-class cricket as he helped his team bundle out Somerset for 142 in the first innings of the ongoing encounter. Cardigan Connor, who took 9 for 28 back in 1996, still stands at the top. 

Barring Tom Banton, Abbott got rid of all the other Somerset batsmen, including India's Murali Vijay. It was a remarkable spell. 

"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," the 32-year-old, who played 11 Tests, 28 ODIs and 21 T20Is for South Africa before signing the Kolpak deal to pursue his career in England, was quoted as saying. 

"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."

"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."

(Inputs from HT)