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Abbott collected 19 wickets in three Sheffield Shield matches last year – only Boland (20) had more from as many games – at an average of 21.94. His regular involvement with national squads has often limited his availability for NSW, but Abbott has been on the brink of a Test debut for years and travelled as a spare bowler to the West Indies this year. His work ethic on tour was noticed.
Abbott’s fitness is second to none, and he would have no qualms bowling long spells.
“He looks fabulous moving in the field and bowling,” NSW coach Greg Shipperd said. “Last season, he bowled some of the best red-ball spells I’ve seen in some time. There was a spell down in Victoria at the MCG which was just special. He’s right in the reckoning for an opportunity. I hope it comes his way.”
Abbott’s safe catching hands and late-order hitting skills only add to his value. A Test debut this summer would be one of the game’s great stories.
Brendan Doggett
The 2023-24 season thrust Doggett into the national conversation. His 32 wickets at 21.9 were impressive enough, but he backed it up with 44 wickets at 20.56 the following season. In December, the right-arm bowler was called into the Test squad as cover for Hazlewood after taking 6-15 against India A.
Doggett’s stock rose again when he took 11 wickets in South Australia’s Shield final triumph, and he would have toured the West Indies if not for a hip injury.
Fast bowler Brendan Doggett has excelled in the Shield, earning selection for Australia A.Credit: Getty Images
South Australia coach Ryan Harris last month told ESPN that Doggett, 31, was in the prime of his career. The only bad news is that he is nursing a hamstring injury.
Michael Neser
Most cricketers would envy a Test bowling average of 16.71. But Neser’s two Tests in Adelaide – against England in 2021 and the West Indies in 2022 – don’t tell the full story of a terrific swing bowler who has troubled many of the country’s best batsmen.
He took 35 wickets at 19.28 in the last Sheffield Shield season, having snared 47 at 17.31 in the 2022-23 edition. Neser then picked up a hamstring injury in November last year while playing for Australia A. The timing, he said, was “shocking”.
The 35-year-old can swing the ball both ways, and although he doesn’t bowl at express pace, he would be as dependable as they come. Neser’s batting has also won plaudits, given he has averaged 36.8 and 26.7 in the previous two Shield seasons.
“Michael Neser is in the conversation for any Test. I would like him to get a game,” former Australian wicketkeeper Ian Healy said on SEN Radio last week.
Michael Neser in action for Australia in Adelaide in 2022. Credit: Getty Images
Jhye Richardson
Richardson is back after shoulder surgery in January. His return is imminent, and few in Australian cricket need reminding of his potential. He is a skiddy right-arm bowler capable of swinging the ball at genuine pace.
He debuted in 2019 against Sri Lanka at the Gabba, while his third and most recent Test was against England four years ago in Adelaide. Richardson’s average for his only day Test is 78, compared with 16.5 in two day-night Test appearances. If selectors want raw pace, Richardson could be the spark.
The bolters
This is where it gets interesting. As Starc noted recently, a summer such as this can unearth the next big quick if mainstays are sidelined. Lance Morris is one rising star who is out for the season.
South Australia’s Nathan McAndrew, who honed his craft in Sydney grade cricket, is one name being discussed in state circles.
The 32-year-old has built up a great body of work – 229 first-class wickets at 25 from 58 matches. McAndrew took 5-23 in a 50-over match against Victoria last week.
Nathan McAndrew. Credit: Getty Images
Victoria’s Fergus O’Neill, 24, is a proven performer, snaring 134 first-class wickets at the excellent average of 21.1. The question is whether, on more favourable pitches for batting, he can make inroads given his pace.
NSW’s Ryan Hadley is also one to watch. He sends them down over 140km/h and hopes to build as the season goes on. Great in the slips too.
Henry Thornton, another former NSW man, was name-checked by Simon Katich last week on SEN.
“I reckon there might be a smokey as well … Henry Thornton,” Katich said. “He’s 28 now, but he’s still young in terms of being inexperienced.
“He’s only played seven first-class games, but he’s a wicket-taker, and that’s something they might be looking at because we know Pat Cummins cracks games open by taking wickets in bursts of two or three at a time.”
