Sean Abbott’s haul puts him in picking order for Ashes

Sean Abbott wasted no time putting his name up as the replacement for James Pattinson.

Sean Abbott celebrates the dismissal of Peter Handscomb Picture: Getty Images

Sean Abbott wasted no time putting his name up as the replacement for James Pattinson in Australia’s bowling ranks when he took six wickets in NSW’s Sheffield Shield clash with Victoria at Drummoyne Oval.

It was also a good day for another for whom there are high hopes, with teenage leg spinner Tanveer Sangha taking three wickets in an outstanding debut performance.

Abbott was in the Australian extended squad last summer but with the Victorian quick’s decision to retire from international cricket recently his prospects of a Test debut firmed.

Watch Live Coverage of the 21/22 Marsh One-Day Cup Live & Free on Kayo Freebies. No Credit Card. No Brainer. Join Now

Abbott’s 6-38 came from 15.4 overs and will be noted by selectors as they consider options to back up the three frontline quicks who might struggle to get through five Ashes Tests this summer.

Sangha, 19, is earmarked for great things after picking up 21 wickets for the Thunder in last year’s BBL. Selectors showed how much they rate his potential when they included him in the white-ball squad which toured the West Indies and Bangladesh recently.

Veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon took the other wicket to fall on a day that saw NSW batting soon after the tea break after the Vics were dismissed for 199.

Victoria won the toss and opted to bat but were soon in trouble, with Marcus Harris the first of four top-order victims claimed by Abbott.

The incumbent Test opener, who appears to be vying for a place in the team with the injured Will Pucovski, was caught behind for nine.

The two sides have been stuck in lockdown unable to play or leave their states until this week.

Frustrated by abandoned or cancelled plans to quarantine in Darwin and Adelaide they have resigned themselves to three back-to-back games as well as one-day matches.

The second game is scheduled to be held at the MCG next Friday followed by a third at the SCG.

Abbott picked up the wicket of Peter Handscomb and James Seymour before lunch and Matt Short soon after it.

Nic Maddinson played a patient and intelligent knock as wickets fell around him before unleashing some big shots when he found himself with the tail.

The highly talented top-order batsman played three Tests five years ago before losing his contract with NSW and moving to Victoria without a contract.

He hit five fours and four sixes on the way to an innings high 87 before becoming Abbott’s sixth victim — and the last of the innings. NSW were 2-43 at stumps.

In more good news for Australian selectors, Test No.3 Marnus Labuschagne top scored for Queensland with 136 as the home side reached 3-311 at stumps on the first day of their Shield clash against Tasmania at the Riverway Stadium in Townsville.