Sean Abbott, a New South Wales Paceman, admits he fought back tears when he found he was accepted onto Australia’s 17-person test team to take on India.
Abbott was preparing for a potential Test debut after a series of impressive performances at the Sheffield Shield.
Although the 28-year-old competed in Adelaide under friendly conditions, he snatched 14 gates at 5:92 p.m. and became the third highest wicket taker in the competition.
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Abbott has also become a formidable all-rounder this summer. He scored 261 runs in five innings and averaged 130.50 with that racket. In round four he produced a first class century against the Tasmanian Tigers.
As of November 2018, he has averaged 47 with the bat in 20 Sheffield Shield innings.
National selectors rewarded Abbott’s formidable form, including him in a talented tempo attack with Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, James Pattinson and Michael Neser.
“I had to fight back tears for a minute there,” Abbott told reporters on Sunday.
“I would like to raise my hand for any point that would come up. I would take this opportunity with both hands.
“I probably see myself as a bowling opportunity rather than someone who can hit.
“But if there is this opportunity to go up the order and the selectors and (Tim Paine) believe I can do this job, then I won’t even think twice about going out there.
“I’ll hit as a batsman and do whatever job I have in front of me.”
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Abbott has also been called up to the Australian senior squad and will have the opportunity to push for the Test selection when he takes on the touring Indians in early December.
The Sydney Sixers star admitted he was glad he missed the Big Bash League in search of a baggy green.
“I would certainly prefer to be in the place where I will hopefully be closer to playing for my country,” said Abbott.
“That could mean that I play cricket a little less, given the shape of the test squad, especially the bowling group.
“We have a lot of depth with the Sixers and I’m not worried they’ll miss me too much.”
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