Shield players try to return to normal
NSW and South Australia’s cricketers have taken an important step in moving on with their lives in the wake of Phillip Hughes’ death when Sheffield Shield fixtures resume.
Both camps have been in grieving since Hughes was killed in a tragic accident during a match between the two sides at the SCG a fortnight ago, when he was struck by a Sean Abbott bouncer.
While the Redbacks playing group has struggled, he also had former teammates in the NSW playing group having spent five seasons with the Blues at the beginning of his career.
NSW takes on Queensland at the SCG while South Australia head to Blundstone Arena for their match with Tasmania.
Both matches were only confirmed to go ahead on Sunday after NSW and South Australian officials consulted with their players.
This morning, Sean Abbott bowled his first over since the Hughes tragedy.
Abbott was introduced into the attack in the 13th over and received a standing ovation from the crowd.
Queensland have made a steady start to be 0-48 with openers Joe Burns (28) and Marnus Labuschagne (18) looking positive.
“It’s been a tough couple of weeks and the boys have already had two practice sessions last week and I think as the two sessions went on, they got into it,” NSW coach Trevor Bayliss said before play.
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While there has been an outpouring of support for Abbott and concerns for his welfare, Bayliss on Monday hinted the allrounder was likely to play.
Bayliss described Abbott as doing better than expected and said he was more likely to take the field than some of his teammates.
Players from South Australia and NSW turned out for their grade cricket clubs on the weekend to test where they were at ahead of the Shield clash.
South Australia’s Adam Zampa, Kane Richardson and Daniel Worrall subsequently ruled themselves out of the match.
NSW are paying tribute to Hughes for the rest of the season by wearing “PJH 707” on their playing shirts, a reference to Hughes being the state’s 707th representative.
