Giant slayer Abbott serves notice

EVER since Zululand speed merchant Kyle Abbott got his first break into the cricket Test arena more than three years ago, he has done more than simply knock on the door for an invitation to be let in by the Proteas selectors as a permanent A rated member of the team.

Rather, on the few occasions he received a call-up, he kicked the door off its hinges.

He did so the first time in his debut Test in 2013 when he was named as the replacement for injured Jacques Kallis for the third Test against Pakistan.

He ripped through the visiting batsmen like a hurricane, claiming seven wickets and as a rookie grabbed the man of the match award.

His bowling figures were the ninth best of all time for a debutant in Test cricket.

Yet, announcing his arrival in such grand style did not grant the local pace ace automatic super status as he found himself trapped in the shadows of established big guns such as Phalaborwa Express Dale Steyn and the towering Morné Morkel.

While the home-grown right-arm medium-fast bowler ticked off a good number of limited overs appearances over the years – 28 ODI and 21 T20 assignments – he continued to be regarded mostly as an understudy in the Rolls Royce format of the game, being limited to eight Test selections.

Credentials
But the 29-year-old Abbott, no doubt quietly frustrated at times, received a welcome centre stage casting call in the second Test against Australia in Hobart this week as a replacement for injury-prone Steyn – and once more grabbed the opportunity to serve notice of his match-winning credentials.

With Vernon Philander (5 wickets) Abbott tormented the Aussie batsmen and knocked over 3 wickets in just 12.4 overs, helping to restrict the Australians to a dismal 85 in the first innings.

He really caught fire on Tuesday during the home team’s second innings however. Just as the men from down under tried to settle in to salvage the Test, the Zululander charged through the Aussie batting line-up like a runaway steam train and wrapped up 6 wickets in 23.1 overs in the second innings for impressive match figures of 9 for 118 – and with it the man of the match award.

With Steyn’s body taking strain after more than a decade of punishing quick bowling and father time clearly starting to take its toll – Steyn is approaching 34 – the pressing question from a local point of view is whether the selectors will reward ‘Stimela’ Abbott by now pushing him forward to lead the Test charge on a consistent basis with young firebrand Kagiso Rabada – keeping in mind that Morkel is still in the wings.

Only time will tell.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.

For news straight to your phone invite us:

WhatsApp – 072 069 4169

Instagram – zululand_observer