‘The timing was really poor’: Sean Abbott set to make injury return after cruel blow cost him potential Test debut

Sean Abbott says he can only dream of making his Test debut at the SCG next month, but the Australian fast bowler is just keen to get back on the field on Boxing Day after a “frustrating” injury cost him a shot at playing in the Ashes opener. Abbott, 32, has played plenty of white ball cricket for his country but is yet to earn a baggy green despite being so close a number of times. He was in the squad for the first Test in Perth and would have been a huge chance of getting selected with skipper Pat Cummins (back) unavailable, while fellow quick Josh Hazlewood suffered a hamstring injury in the Sheffield Shield just a week out from the start of the Ashes. Unfortunately for Abbott, he also suffered a “moderate” hamstring injury in that same game against Victoria at the SCG where he was dominating with figures of 4-18 before he came off with what he thought were simply tired legs. “The timing was really poor,” he said on Tuesday morning at the SCG where he hopes to be cleared to face the Melbourne Stars on Friday. “I was only in the Test squad for the first Test so I won’t make any assumptions around selections after that. “For me, being involved in an Ashes series is the pinnacle in our sport. It’s something that you dream about when you’re a kid, and I still do. “The main frustration from my point of view is that I came off because I was tired. I didn’t really feel injured but I went for a scan and it showed something else. “It was probably a bit lucky that I had the opportunity to come off for a bit of a break and a bit of a breather because I probably would have kept bowling. “Throughout the last six weeks, I haven’t felt injured at all. The main challenge I’ve experienced is feeling that I’m not being held back by anything.” Abbott has been a reliable performer with the ball and a destructive force with the bat for more than a decade, which is why he deserves a Test debut at his home deck in Sydney. But even he acknowledges that it would take a minor miracle for that to happen, with Abbott taking a realistic approach to it all and thanking Aussie coach Andrew McDonald as well as selectors George Bailey and Tony Dodemaide for being open. “We can dream,” he said. “I feel like my body is in a great place…but I won’t look too far ahead. “It’d be nice to put my hand up at least for selection, because that was another frustration (of the injury). “I don’t think selections would have been any different for the first three games, but it’s frustrating to not be there and be able to put your hand up to make selectors make a call. “They’ve been very honest with me. I’ve got a great relationship with Ronnie, George and Tony. While it’s not ideal, hopefully I can play well for the Sixers and put my hand up for Sydney if they think that I’d be a good fit.” The latest setback won’t quell his desire to eventually play Test cricket, with Abbott graciously praising fellow quicks Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett for taking their chances this series. “Hunger has never been an issue for me,” he said. “I’m pretty proud of myself that I’ve always been pretty good at being able to compartmentalise and focus on the next thing, step out of the situation and see it for what it is. “From next season, there are 20-odd Tests – maybe even more – and I’ve also signed on to play for Surrey so I’m really excited to go over and get in the four-day grind and play a bit of T20 cricket for them. “I feel like my game is in a pretty good position ... if I get that call up to the Test squad one day, but our boys have been playing so well.”