Sean Abbott Joins Australia’s Squad for Upcoming Test Series Against West Indies

Abbott Steps In for Doggett Ahead of Test Series

Melbourne [Australia], June 16: Fast bowler Sean Abbott has been added to Australia’s roster for their Test series against the West Indies, which begins on June 25 in Barbados, marking the start of the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle for 2025-27.

The 33-year-old pacer is stepping in for Brendan Doggett, who has been sidelined due to a minor hip injury. Doggett was initially a traveling reserve for the WTC Final but will now head back home, as confirmed by the ICC.

Although Abbott has participated in 28 ODIs and 20 T20Is for Australia, claiming a total of 59 wickets, he has yet to make his Test debut. He was part of the red-ball squad that toured Sri Lanka earlier this year and also participated in the Border-Gavaskar Test series at home.

The Australian team is set to travel to Barbados for the first of three Tests, with subsequent matches scheduled in Grenada on July 3 and Jamaica on July 12, the latter being the West Indies' inaugural day-night Test.

Additionally, there are concerns regarding Steve Smith's availability, as he suffered a compound dislocation of his finger during the third day of the WTC final at Lord's. Fortunately, Smith avoided a fracture that would have necessitated surgery and may still participate in the first Test with the aid of a splint during his recovery.

“It just split the skin and dislocated it, which made me feel pretty ill at that stage,” Smith remarked following the loss to South Africa, as reported by the ICC. “I think I am in a splint for eight weeks now and may be able to play with it in a couple of weeks, so it will depend on my functionality and what I am able to do, but it is probably the best result I could have hoped for,” he added.