Abbott’s nine-wicket return dents Somerset’s title chances
Bowl Hampshire (196 & 176-8) lead Somerset (142) by 230 runs
Hampshire are well set to beat Somerset after Kyle Abbott recorded career-best figures in first-class cricket of nine for 40 before James Vince hit a sublime century.
Victory for Somerset looks increasingly unlikely as Hampshire finished day two on 176 for eight, leading by 230 runs on a difficult pitch. Somerset’s Specsavers County Championship title chances are in jeopardy, too, with secondplaced Essex on top against Surrey at Chelmsford.
Having taken the wickets of both openers in the latter stages of day one, Abbott resumed day two in similar form, taking the wicket of Tom Abell with his third ball. Abell had his off stump removed as he looked to leave a ball which jagged back off the seam. Abbott repeatedly utilised this technique during the innings: six of his nine wickets were lbw or bowled.
If not for some crucial resistance from Dom Bess and Roelof van der Merwe batting at No 8 and No 10 respectively, Somerset would have been humiliated.
The pair came together with their side floundering at 65 for eight, putting on 67 before Abbott had Bess caught at short leg. The final wicket, and Abbott’s ninth, came soon after.
Abbott’s figures are the best in Division One since Chris Woakes’s nine for 36 in 2016, and the sixth-best across both divisions since 2000.
The South African now has 60 wickets this season, the most for a seamer, at an average of 17.03. Only Simon Harmer (71) and Jeetan Patel (61) have more.
Abbott could have had a 10-wicket haul were it not for Fidel Edwards. Tom Banton repeatedly tried to hook Edwards to the legside boundary, but succeeded only in edging behind to the wicketkeeper.
A rivalry between the two began earlier this season and has transcended all formats since. Yesterday, it appeared as if rather than assess the situation his side were in, Banton sought only to win a personal battle. In reply, Hampshire fell to 45 for six in their second innings, and it looked like Somerset might soon be batting again. However, Vince showed why many believe he should still be in the England Test side; mixing patient defence with characteristically classy strokeplay, he reached 102 not out at the close of play. A roaring celebration from the usually restrained Vince signalled his satisfaction: it could be the innings that earns him a recall for England’s winter tours.