Sean Abbott’s career-best bowling on first match since death of Phil Hughes

Sean Abbott, the bowler whose bouncer struck and killed Australian cricketer Phil Hughes last month, returned career-best figures in his first match since the incident on Friday. The 22-year-old has been receiving counselling, and the support of the cricketing world, after his delivery hit Hughes on the neck, resulting in his daeth two days later. Abbott, a former team-mate and friend of Hughes attended the funeral and was consoled by Hughes’ family and other cricketers, who urged him to resume playing.

To do what he did really showed the character that he has.

New South Wales coach Trevor Bayliss

Abbott made an emotional return to the Sydney Cricket Ground, the same venue where Hughes was fatally injured. He produced an extraordinary spell to capture six wickets for 14 runs as Queensland collapsed to 99 all out in their second innings and New South Wales wrapped up victory. Hughes, who took eight wickets in the match, got a standing ovation when he left the field at the end of the match.

It’s just fantastic to see the smiles on their faces around that dressing room.

Trevor Bayliss

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