Sean Abbott back in Aussie ODI squad for three-match January tour of India for first time in five years

Just four weeks after his return to the national set-up, Sean Abbott is quickly becoming a white-ball staple if his recall to the ODI squad for the four-game series in India is any indication.

Sean Abbott of the Blues celebrates after bowling Sam Heazlett of Queensland during day 3 of the Sheffield Shield cricket match between New South Wales and Queensland at the SCG in Sydney, Monday, December 9, 2019. (AAP Image/Craig Golding) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY, IMAGES TO BE USED FOR NEWS REPORTING PURPOSES ONLY, NO COMMERCIAL USE WHATSOEVER, NO USE IN BOOKS WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT FROM AAP

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Five years after what could have been his one and only ODI, Sean Abbott never lost faith that the call was coming.

Abbott has been recalled for Australia’s one-day tour of India in January after selectors opted to overhaul the World Cup squad that suffered a semi-final defeat to hosts England.

It comes a month after Abbott was named man of the match in a Twenty20 against Pakistan, his first taste of international cricket since 2014.

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Sean Abbott domestic form has earned him an Aussie recall.

The 27-year-old paceman was better prepared for chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns’ call this time.

“I made the mistake a few weeks ago of missing his phone call. It came up with a number I hadn’t saved,” Abbott said as he prepared for Sydney Sixers’ BBL opener on Wednesday night.

“NSW coach Phil Jaques rang me up and told me I probably want to answer that call. I saved Trevor’s number.

“It hasn’t really sunk in yet.”

Abbott credits the help of NSW and Sixers bowling coach Andre Adams, who has also played a key role mentoring Mitchell Starc, and support of teammates for helping him get back on national selectors’ radar.

“It was obviously a long time ago,” Abbott said of his previous ODI.

“I never really had the thought that I was never going to come back.

“It’s pretty easy to think that negative way but I’ve got a great group around me at the NSW Blues, I just kept trying to get better at training and perform.”

Abbott has been in fine form with the bat this season as well.

Abbott, now in the box seat to be part of the T20 World Cup that Australia is hosting next year, is yet to give up hope of a Test call-up.

The right-armer is currently focused on Wednesday night, when the Sixers will be without hamstrung paceman Jackson Bird in their clash with Perth.

West Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Philippe, who joined the Sixers last year at the urging of Steve Smith, will be one to watch at the SCG.

“Not much fazes him. He just goes out there and gets on with it,” Abbott said of one of Australia’s most highly-rated prospects.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing what he can do in his second season.”