West Indies vs Australia first Test, Sean Abbott press conference, squads, video

Sean Abbott is fully aware of his position in Australia’s pace bowling pecking order, but the New South Welshman has earmarked the chaotic 2026/27 schedule as a potential window for his long-awaited Test debut.

Last week, the 33-year-old was an eleventh-hour addition to Australia’s squad for the three-Test tour of the West Indies, replacing fellow seamer Brendan Doggett who sustained a hip injury.

Despite missing plenty of Sheffield Shield cricket over the last four years due to white-ball commitments, Abbott has continued to impress at first-class level with 104 wickets at 24.72 during that period.

The right-armed seamer, who lost his national contract earlier this year, has regularly featured in Australia’s Test squad since his maiden call-up in 2020, including the recent tour of Sri Lanka. He has played 48 white-ball matches for Australia, but a coveted baggy green has eluded him.

If he gets an opportunity in the Caribbean this winter, he will become the first Australian men’s pace bowler to make their Test debut after their 33rd birthday since Geff Noblet in 1950.

However, with the star quartet of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland also in the squad, Abbott acknowledges he may be tasked with carrying drinks over the coming weeks.

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“Obviously the four guys that have been playing have been playing some pretty unbelievable cricket,” Abbott told reporters in Barbados on Saturday.

“Pretty firm pecking order with those four up top, but obviously the West Indies may present some different conditions. Hopefully an opportunity there comes up.

“Obviously I’d say it’s probably going to be more an opportunity through injury or trying to rest a few guys.”

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Sean Abbott of the Blues. Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images Source: Getty Images

Pending conditions, Australia might consider unleashing two strike spinners for the series opener in Bridgetown, which gets underway on Wednesday.

However, Abbott’s skillset could be required during the third match in Kingston, which will be Australia’s first pink-ball Test on foreign soil — the Blues veteran claimed 6-99 with the pink Kookaburra during his most recent first-class match, a day-night Sheffield Shield contest against Tasmania in Hobart.

Although injury appears to be Abbott’s only avenue to Test selection in the Caribbean, a ten-month window between September next year and July 2027 could present additional chances for the team’s fringe bowlers.

Australia is scheduled to play 20 Tests across four continents during that period, including tours of South Africa, India and England — and because the team’s ageing pace attack is unlikely to be fit and firing for every match, it opens the door for the likes of Abbott and Doggett.

“It is in the back of my mind that I know there’s a lot of cricket coming,” Abbott said.

“We’ve had a little bit of a chat about what next winter looks like because there’s an opportunity potentially to go and play some county cricket. Once I had that conversation, it was leaning in towards what does the best prep look like for potentially being ready for a hell of a lot of Test cricket from the end of next year.”

He continued: “My main focus and goals are to play as much cricket for Australia as I can.

“I look at those tours and then work back from there, because the last thing I want to do is turn up to an Australian tour not fully fit, firing and raring to go.

“So while we’ve got a lot of talent over here, I just assume selection on all the tours and then just make sure that I’m not tired and busted by the time an opportunity may present itself.”

Australia's Sean Abbott. Photo by PHILL MAGAKOE / AFP Source: AFP

Abbott also recalled last month’s Pakistan Super League scare, where international players were forced to flee the country amid growing tensions between Pakistan and India. He and several teammates departed the Nur Khan airport only a few hours before the same military base was struck by Indian missiles, destroying several homes and creating an outbreak of fires.

“Shocking. I found it quite traumatic to be honest,” Abbott said.

“It was different for everyone. I don’t think it really sunk in for a few guys. Once our phones started pinging when we landed in Dubai as to what was happening since we left, it was pretty full on.”

Abbott did not return to Pakistan when the competition resumed, but he hopes to be invited back for future editions of the T20 tournament.

“The PSL itself was a great experience,” he continued.

“I got to experience the Pakistan culture which was quite cool. I haven’t really had the chance to do that before.

“I’d love to go back to Pakistan. Hopefully that sort of thing doesn’t happen again.”

The first Test between the West Indies and Australia gets underway at Bridgetown’s Kensington Oval on Thursday at 12am AEST.

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