KYLE Abbot is proving to be the scourge of Somerset batsmen and in the 11 matches that the 34 year old South African international has played against them he has claimed 53 wickets at an average of 18.2 with a best of 9 for 40.

Yet Abbot learnt his trade playing cricket here in the west country firstly with Lewdown the West Devon side that was supported by local hero ‘Jethro’ and then Clevedon both of who he still keeps contact with.

At the back end of 2006 Abbot also appeared on several occasions for Somerset Second XI and scored 50 in a championship match against Hampshire Second XI at Basingstoke , and in the final match that season took five for 37 against Nottinghamshire, who he played alongside the likes of Pete Trego and Jos Buttler.

“It was 15 or 16 years ago when I came here from South Africa as a very green youngster and played down in Devon and Cownwall and then at Clevedon.

“They presented me with a great opportunity and I have nothing but good things to say about those two clubs.

“Jimmy Cook was involved here at the time and he had seen me playing and Somerset were looking for players so I got my chance. My first game was against Hampshire, which is quite ironic.

“I then played at Clevedon for two years 2007 and 2008 and then I managed to sneak my way into the Dolphins set up back at home and played my first game of first class cricket in 2009.

“The next time I came back to England was in 2014 when I did my first stint with Hampshire.

“I am forever grateful to both Lewdown and Clevedon for the opportunity that the gave me to learn my trade.”

Why has he enjoyed so much success against Somerset- against who he has taken mor eiwkcte than any other county?

“I am not entirely sure why, maybe I enjoyed a little bit of success against them early on and that sort of sticks with them. I cant say why maybe its just the way that I bowl and the way that their batsmen line up that I take a few more wickets- Im not really sure. Its just one of those things in cricket you cant explain.”