AUS v IND BGT: Sean Abbott and Beau Webster are engaged to each other. Both of them repeatedly missed selection in Australia’s Test playing-11.
Both these cricketers are called to join the national team, take part in net practice and then go back for domestic commitments. They are then called back and are expected to wear the ‘baggy green’ (Australia’s Test cap), but this does not happen.
Limited overs expert, but test debut dream
The 32-year-old Abbott has played 56 international matches since making his limited-overs debut a decade ago, but he is still waiting to don the white and hold the red Kookaburra. On the other hand, 31-year-old Webster is a veteran of domestic cricket, who has taken 148 wickets apart from scoring 5297 runs in 93 matches. Webster knows he is a good cricketer, but he also knows that the team feels Mitchell Marsh could be a little better. Webster, however, looks more confident in batting than Marsh.
What did Sean Abbott say about playing Test?
Similarly, Abbott admitted that he is not the fourth but the fifth choice in the list of Australian fast bowlers. So does he think he will get a chance to play tomorrow? When Webster was asked during a conversation at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), he said-
Tomorrow is our main training. We will see how the performance goes. We already have an all-rounder and he is still a contender to play at that position. He is a legend, a brilliant player, he has had some success in all formats and I am just here to cover him if something goes wrong.
Abbott took a slightly more humorous approach to his views, but acknowledged it was a privilege to be with big players in the Australian dressing room. Abbott’s answer is also very similar to Webster’s answer. He said-
I think if I don’t get to play any matches, it’s a good thing for the team, because it means we are playing with full strength. I think the players are feeling very good at the moment. I’m obviously here as cover for some bowler, but I’m really enjoying it. I love being with this team, but you know it’s Boxing Day, it’s great to be involved with the Australian Test team.
So is this an admission that it has become more difficult for him in the presence of Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc (left-arm bowler) and Josh Hazlewood (out of the series)? Abbott takes solace from the situation of his fellow fast bowler Scott Boland and what happened to former fast bowler James Pattinson. He said-
I can probably also include Scott Boland and make it four fast bowlers, although he has not played much cricket for Australia yet, but he has played Test cricket for three years and every time he comes So perform well.
Abbott said-
I can tell you that when he came into the Test team and what he did, many batsmen across the country were heaving a sigh of relief. I wouldn’t say it’s disappointing because he’s a great cricketer. Even when there was Jimmy Pattinson before Scotty, there were all these players who were incredible at what they did.
Let us tell you that the Boxing Day Test will be played between India and Australia in Melbourne on 26th December, for which preparations of both the teams are in full swing.
