Cricket World Cup 2015: Sean Abbott tipped to be named in Australia’s extended squad

SEAN Abbott is expected to be named in Australia’s preliminary 30-man one-day World Cup squad due to be submitted to the ICC on Sunday.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 07: Sean Abbott of Australia bowls during game two of the International Twenty20 Series between Australia and South Africa at Melbourne Cricket Ground on November 7, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

SEAN Abbott is expected to be named in Australia’s preliminary 30-man one-day World Cup squad due to be submitted to the ICC on Sunday, some positive reinforcement after the toughest two weeks of his life.

It’s a timely reminder to Abbott that he’s one of the most promising cricketers in Australia, after winning NSW’s Steve Waugh medal and making his international ODI and Twenty20 debuts this year.

However,the announcement, which will be made over the next couple of days, will be tinged with sadness, as Phillip Hughes would have been a certain selection among the 30 players ahead of a historic World Cup on home soil.

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Phillip Hughes made a century on his one-day international debut.

Hughes played 25 one-dayers since his debut last year where he became the first Australian to score a hundred in his rookie outing.

He scored two centuries and four fifties and although not in Australia’s first-picked top order, he would have been on the cusp for the final squad of 15 named in a month’s time had injury struck the likes of Aaron Finch, Dave Warner or Shane Watson.

His one-day jersey number 64 has now been retired by Cricket Australia forever.

Hughes’ good mate Usman Khawaja is expected to be named in the 30, and he, Cameron White and Shaun Marsh would appear the next batsmen in line for selection in the final 15 should something happen to the established stars.

Usman Khawaja is tipped to earn a place in Australia’s preliminary World Cup squad. Picture: Jono Searle.

Abbott is seemingly a long way from forcing his way into the final 15 to be announced on January 7, but the fact he’s in the 30 is an indication he’s on the verge of a long international career.

The 22-year-old performed solidly in his solitary ODI appearance against Pakistan in October and is rated one of Australia’s top all-rounders.

The great unknown is how he will return from the mental stress of unwittingly bowling the ball that felled Hughes in a freak accident at the SCG.

Abbott withdrew from grade cricket on Saturday and a decision is yet to be made on whether he’ll play for NSW in their first Sheffield Shield match back against Queensland at the scene of such sadness, the SCG on Tuesday.

Sean Abbott attended Hughes’ funeral in Macksville this week.

But Abbott has already participated in a couple of training sessions and there’s confidence from those around him that he will eventually get on with doing what he does best.

Australia is expected to take a risk on some injured players in the squad of 30, given the amount of time there is until the World Cup kicks off in February.

Proven all-rounder Moises Henriques hasn’t played since the Matador Cup but deserves to be picked, and quicks James Pattinson and Nathan Coulter-Nile might have faith shown in them despite their fitness struggles.

Fast bowler Pat Cummins is a certain selection as he firms for a place in the final World Cup 15 and wicketkeeper Matt Wade will remain in the mix to be back-up to Brad Haddin after impressing in the recent one-day series against South Africa.

Pat Cummins (R) is all but assured of a spot in the World Cup squad. Picture: Phil Hillyard.

Australia’s clear batting leaders at this stage are Warner, Finch, Watson, Michael Clarke, Steve Smith, George Bailey, Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Marsh.

Mitchell Johnson will spearhead the attack, with a host of quicks, including veteran Ryan Harris vying to accompany him.

Xavier Doherty is tipped to oust Nathan Lyon for the spinner’s spot, but both will be picked in the 30.

Possible Australian 30-man squad: Michael Clarke (c), George Bailey (vc), David Warner, Aaron Finch, Shane Watson, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner, Shaun Marsh, Usman Khawaja, Ben Dunk, Cameron White, Callum Ferguson, Dan Christian, Sean Abbott, Moises Henriques, Matt Wade, Ben Cutting, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Kane Richardson, Ryan Harris, James Pattinson, Nathan Lyon

Originally published as Cricket World Cup 2015: Sean Abbott tipped to be named in Australia’s extended squad