WATCH | Kyle Abbott hat-trick helps title-chasers Hampshire beat Gloucestershire

South Africa's Kyle Abbott took a hat-trick as Hampshire beat Gloucestershire by six wickets on Friday to maintain their challenge for English cricket's County Championship title.

Gloucestershire, bottom of the First Division table, were 316-5 in their second innings at Cheltenham and threatening to deny the visitors a win when former Proteas quick Abbott, 35, struck either side of the lunch interval.

He ended Miles Hammond's marathon innings, dismissing the left-hander for a career-best 169, and then returned after the interval to take the wickets of Zafar Gohar and Tom Price with consecutive deliveries.

?? ?? ?? HATTRICK FOR KYLE ABBOTT!#LVCountyChamp pic.twitter.com/uMRJ7XG9R8

Abbott took the last five wickets to fall in 12 balls to finish with innings figures of 6-76, with Keith Barker taking 4-65.

Hampshire, set 82 to win after making Gloucestershire follow on, reached their target inside 10 overs.

Victory meant second-placed Hampshire, edged out for the title last season, are 14 points behind leaders and southern neighbours Surrey.