Kyle Abbott records best first-class match figures since 1956
Abbott registered astonishing numbers of 17/86 across to the two innings to pick up the best match figures in first-class cricket since Jim Laker’s famous 19/90 in the 1956 Manchester Old Trafford Test.
After picking up 9/40 in the first innings, itself the 22nd best innings analysis recorded in the 21st century, Abbott ran through the Somerset batting line-up to take 8/46 in the second innings to help his side to a 136 run win. It’s the only second occurrence this century of a bowler taking 17 wickets in a match after John Davison’s haul for Canada against USA back in 2004.
3⃣5⃣.2⃣Overs
— Hampshire Cricket (@hantscricket) September 18, 2019
1⃣2⃣ Maidens
8⃣6⃣ Runs
1⃣7⃣ Wickets
Purely sensational from @Kyle_Abbott87 who's figures are the best by any Hampshire bowler of all time & the 4⃣th best in @CountyChamp history 👏 pic.twitter.com/FJNA8IYk3s
To put into context the historical nature of Abbott’s performance, it is only the third time since 1950 that 17 or more wickets have been taken in a single match by a single bowler.
Speaking to the BBCabout his performance, Abbott, who last represented South Africa in January 2017, admitted that he had not yet realised the enormity of his achievement. "It hasn't quite sunk in. It is pretty incredible,” said Abbott.
WICKET & CLOSE: @Kyle_Abbott87 wraps this match up taking Davey's off stump, leaving @SomersetCCC all out for 1⃣4⃣4⃣!
— Hampshire Cricket (@hantscricket) September 18, 2019
Hampshire win their final home match of the season by 136 runs 🙌
Abbo breaks Hampshire's record for most wickets taken in a match with 17 wickets! pic.twitter.com/ELFNxideqY
“Yesterday I didn't think I'd take nine and I didn't think I'd take eight today. I reckon that is the best I can bowl. Everything I wanted to do worked. It just happened to be one of those days - it was incredible. When it started to reverse it got quite fun.”
Abbott’s display across the match had major ramifications for Somerset’s County Championship aspirations. Entering the match with a eight point cushion over rivals Essex, their Abbott-induced defeat leaves them 12 points behind Essex with one round of fixtures to go.