Ahead of Australia's tour of India starting October 19, Australian fast. Bowler Sean Abbott has written a new chapter in Sheffield Shield history. The New South Wales pacer has become the first player to be replaced in a match due to a non-concussion injury under a new trial rule. This change, implemented under Cricket Australia's (CA) new trial regulations, is being applied in the first five rounds of this season.
The Incident and Injury
Sean Abbott sustained the injury on the first day of the match between New South Wales and Victoria in Melbourne. On October 15, during the second session, Victoria's batsman Peter Handscomb hit a powerful drive off Abbott's bowling, while abbott attempted to stop the ball, but in the process, injured the fingers of his right hand. He couldn't complete his over and immediately left the field. After examination, the team's medical staff confirmed that the injury was severe enough to prevent Abbott from bowling for the entire match.
Historic Replacement Rule in Play
Following the medical assessment, the New South Wales team appealed for a replacement under the rules, which was approved, while reserve fast bowler Charlie Stobo was brought into the team in Abbott's place. This is part of Cricket Australia's trial rule introduced this season, allowing a like-for-like replacement for an injured player. Under this rule, the Victoria team will also be permitted to make a similar change by the end of the second day. The ICC is also considering implementing similar rules in Test cricket in the future.
Australian Selectors' Mounting Concerns
Abbott's injury has created new concerns for Australian selectors, as several key bowlers like Pat Cummins, Lance Morris, and Jhye Richardson are already battling various injuries, while On top of that, bowlers such as Brendan Doggett, Spencer Johnson, and Callum Vidler have been sidelined at the start of the domestic season. The 33-year-old Abbott has now been given a mandatory 12-day rest period post-injury. This period will conclude on October 29, the same day the first Australia-India T20I match is scheduled to be played in Canberra. The New South Wales camp hopes Abbott will be fit for the first T20 match against India.
