Sean Abbott returns for New South Wales following Phil Hughes tragedy

Sport360 staff 06:10 09/12/2014
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  • Up and running: Sean Abbott bowling with the New South Wales team against Queensland

    Sean Abbott, who delivered the ball that resulted in Australian batsman Phillip Hughes’ tragic death, has returned to action after being named yesterday in the New South Wales squad.

    There were fears that the young fast bowler may have been too traumatised to play again after Hughes died from being hit by one of his bouncers at the Sydney Cricket Ground last month.

    However, he was included in the squad to play Queensland in a Sheffield Shield fixture today and bowled a bouncer in his first over.

    The young quick attended Hughes’ funeral last week and many people around the cricket world have expressed solidarity with the 22-year-old following the freak accident.

    “Brilliant News…The whole cricket family are right behind you Sean,” said former England captain Michael Vaughan on Twitter in
    reaction to Abbott being selected.

    NSW captain Moises Henriques added that the fast bowler was holding up well.

    “He’s coping pretty well,” Henriques said. “I guess from our point of view as fellow players, we’re trying to expel his name from the tragedy a little bit, because in my opinion I don’t think he’s any more at fault than any other fast bowler who’s ever bowled a bouncer in his career.

    “We’re actually trying to remove his name from everything that’s happened, and just treat him as another one of the players.”

    Emotional: Sean Abbott attended Phil Hughes' funeral last week

    Several of the New South Wales squad were on the field when Hughes collapsed, and coach Trevor Bayliss said the Queensland match was not about winning.

    “It’s not about the result in this match, it’s about getting the guys back on the paddock and looking after their future,” he told reporters.

    “This game is about getting back and doing the things they’ve done in the past and getting back into the groove of playing high-level cricket.”

    Cricket New South Wales also revealed that players had been given the option of withdrawing from the domestic match if they feel they are not ready to play.

    However, apart from those picked for the Test squad, all New South Wales players who took part in that tragic match have been named in the 12-man squad.

    Abbott’s return coincides with Australia taking on India in the delayed first Test at Adelaide, with a number of tributes made.

    The Australian players took the field wearing Hughes’ Test cap number 408 on their shirts during the match, and black armbands in honour of their former team-mate. 

    Prior to the start of play in the Test, the Australian and Indian teams stood before a large 408 painted on the playing surface as
    they observed a video tribute, narrated by former Australia Test captain and prominent commentator Richie Benaud.

    Hughes died on November 27 from bleeding on the brain, two days after being knocked unconscious by the Abbott bouncer.

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