8 Dec 2014

Abbott to return to bowling crease

6:33 pm on 8 December 2014

The Australian bowler Sean Abbott, who bowled the bouncer that led to the death of Phillip Hughes, is set to return to action with New South Wales at the Sydney Cricket Ground tonmorrow.

The 22-year-old has been named in a 12-man squad for the Sheffield Shield match against Queensland, the first fixture at the Sydney Cricket Ground since Hughes was struck in the back of the head by a delivery last month.

Australian bowler Sean Abbott arrives for the funeral of Australian cricket batsman Phillip Hughes.

Australian bowler Sean Abbott arrives for the funeral of Australian cricket batsman Phillip Hughes. Photo: AFP

Abbott was devastated by the death of his former team mate two days later and has received a wave of support from fellow players in Australia and around the world.

"Players have been given the option of withdrawing from the fixture should they feel they are not ready to play," New South Wales Cricket said in a statement.

Meanwhile The Australia captain Michael Clarke has been passed fit to lead the side into the first cricket test against India at Adelaide Oval starting tomorrow.

Clarke had been struggling physically with a hamstring injury and emotionally in the aftermath of friend and former team mate Phillip Hughes's death, which caused the opening test to be postponed and moved from Brisbane.

Pace bowler Mitchell Johnson says it was a "huge boost" to have Clarke back playing for the team.

Michael Clarke during the Ashes, Adelaide, 2013.

Michael Clarke will lead Australia in the first test against India. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

"He's a strong captain and we need him out there in this series," he added.

Johnson also said uncapped paceman Josh Hazlewood and reserve batsman Shaun Marsh would not play, leaving Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle to join with the ICC Cricketer of the Year in the pace attack.

Team: Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Chris Rogers, Peter Siddle, Steve Smith, David Warner, Shane Watson.

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs

We have regular online commentary of local and international sport.