Sean Abbott, still waiting to make his Test debut, has earned another call-up to Australia’s Test squad. The 33-year-old fast bowler replaces Brendan Doggett, who has been ruled out of the West Indies tour due to injury.
Doggett was part of the squad as a travelling reserve during the World Test Championship Final at Lord’s against South Africa. He was set to be included in the main squad for the Caribbean series, but will now return home to Australia after suffering a “minor hip injury,” Cricket Australia confirmed on Sunday.
Doggett had recently starred in the Sheffield Shield final, taking 11 wickets to lead South Australia to victory. He had also been performing well in county cricket with Durham, and the Caribbean tour was shaping up to be the stage for his long-awaited Test debut. That wait, however, has been extended.
Like Doggett, Abbott is yet to make his debut in Test cricket. The 33-year-old has already represented Australia in 28 ODIs and 20 T20Is. Earlier this year, he was included in the Test squad for the tour of Sri Lanka, and was also named in the squad for the home series against India.
He is often seen as one of those unlucky cricketers who, despite consistent performances, has yet to receive a Test cap.
Cricket Australia had announced last month that the same squad named for the WTC Final would also be travelling to the West Indies for the three-match Test series.
In the WTC Final at the iconic Lord’s, Australia – the defending champions – suffered a five-wicket defeat to South Africa on Saturday.
Australia’s Test series in the Caribbean starts on June 25, with the first match in Barbados, followed by Tests in Grenada and Jamaica.
Australia’s Test Squad: Pat Cummins (capt), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Constance, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster, Sean Abbott.
