KYLE Abbott admitted he is still far from his best after taking 3-89 against Lancashire at Old Trafford.

The former South Africa star has now taken 17 wickets at 40.47 apiece this season with a best of 4-45 in the opening game.

“I’m not feeling anywhere close to where I’d like to be,” he said. “It’s been very frustrating but it’s getting there, so hopefully it’s a sign of things to come.

“Going at five an over is unacceptable, so it was nice to pick up some poles. I felt I was giving free balls which is still disappointing.

“I’ve gone through anger and everything over the last seven games when I haven’t been able to create chances. I’ve never been ahead of the batsmen, and that’s where I’d like to be – creating pressure.”

Hampshire and Lancashire and look destined to play out a high-scoring Specsavers County Championship draw.

Despite centuries from Alex Davies (115) and Dane Vilas (134), the hosts could not overtake Hampshire’s first-innings total of 451, finishing with 411.

The visitors then reached 66-2 second time around at stumps - 106 runs ahead.

The Red Rose county, who have found runs hard to come by this summer, put in a solid performance on a flat pitch as the batsmen continued to dominate.

A wicket apiece for Graham Onions and Tom Bailey then kept the visitors in check with time running out for them to build on their slender lead and force a win.

Jimmy Adams was trapped on the crease by Onions as he fell lbw for four. Following on from his century on the opening day, Hampshire captain James Vince was then strangled down the leg-side off Bailey for 18.

Lancashire began the day on 140-3, still 311 runs in arrears. But Davies and Vilas shared a century partnership

Davies notched his first first-class hundred of the summer before needlessly gifting Rilee Rossouw a catch at gully off Ian Holland.

Jordan Clark (81) played a perfect supporting role, allowing Vilas to advance impressively before the South African was trapped lbw by compatriot Abbott.

Lancashire, in the search for quick runs, lost their final three wickets for 17 runs.