Kyle Abbott: "My best is yet to come."

Hampshire’s overseas player is set to make his home debut against Surrey on Sunday, having already taken 11 LV County Championship wickets at 21.5 apiece.

He claimed 4-84 at Derby as Derbyshire, having resumed the penultimate day on 203-2, were bowled out for 399 in reply to Hampshire’s 328.

Then Abbott, who took 5-67 on debut against Gloucestershire at Bristol last week, insisted that he is still getting used to English conditions. “I haven’t been at my best yet, I still think I’ve got a lot more to offer,” he said. “I’ve been a bit expensive, a bit leaky here and there which I’m not too happy about.

“My lengths have been good, I’ve just struggled a bit with my line. I’m still getting used to the Duke but hopefully after these three innings I’ve got my angles right and can go from strength to strength.

“I’m just trying to do the basics right, keep hitting my lengths and channels and really work hard.

“Tomo’s been excellent at the other end, he’s also picked up nine wickets. Having pressure from both ends has been great. Partnerships are key so all credit to him for backing me up.”

Derbyshire had hoped to establish a commanding position as they resumed 125 behind, following a morning wash-out.

But Abbott had other ideas, using the second new ball to excellent effect as Derbyshire slumped from 273-2 to 312-7 before Tim Groenewald’s unbeaten 56 helped the hosts establish a lead of 71.

Stephen Moore (128) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (82) shared a third-wicket partnership of 163 before they nicked Abbott and Tomlinson to Sean Ervine at first slip within three overs of each other.

And Hampshire’s strike bowlers took another wickets apiece as Derbyshire lost four wickets in the first ten overs against the second new ball.

“We didn’t nail it on Sunday with the new ball but bounced back superbly well,” added Abbott. “ Michael Carberry and Jimmy Adams ensured Hampshire will begin the final day on 20 without loss, 51 behind.