Sean Abbott Joins Australian Test Squad Amid Injury Concerns

Sean Abbott has been named in Australia's Test squad for the series against the West Indies commencing on June 25 in Barbados, as the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle begins. Abbott replaces Brendan Doggett, who was sidelined by a minor hip injury. Doggett, who was a traveling reserve for the WTC Final, will return home.

Although Abbott has appeared in 28 ODIs and 20 T20Is, claiming 59 wickets, he has yet to debut in Test cricket. He joined the red-ball team on a recent tour of Sri Lanka and participated in the Border-Gavaskar series. Australia will play three Tests, with subsequent matches in Grenada and Jamaica, the latter being the West Indies' maiden day-night Test match.

The squad also faces uncertainty over star player Steve Smith, who sustained a finger dislocation during the WTC final at Lord's. While Smith avoided a bone fracture that would have required surgery, his participation in the first Test remains dubious. Despite the injury, Smith is hopeful of playing with a splint in a few weeks.

(With inputs from agencies.)