Tough not knowing when you are getting a game: Kyle Abbott

South African pace bowler Kyle Abbott came up with a match-winning spell in the 4th ODI against Australia. Abbott got his chance after South Africa decided to test their bench. Having already taken a 3-0 lead, they rested Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada and Imran Tahir for the 4th ODI. Abbott cashed in big time of the opportunity that he got.

He started off by removing both openers Aaron Finch and David Warner cheaply. He cleaned up Finch in the first over itself before castling Warner in the 3rd over of the match. He came back to remove the well-settled batsman Mitch Marsh on 50. He then got rid of Adam Zampa to end up with figures of 4/40 in 8 overs. He held the key for South African bowling as Australia bundled out for 167.

South Africa eventually won the match and took a 4-0 lead in the series. Abbott was awarded the Man of the Match for his bowling spell. Speaking in the post-match conference, he said it is tough to not know when he would get a game. Playing largely in the shadows of Steyn, Morkel and Rabada – Abbott hasn’t got his fair due of chances. However, he asserted that it is important to still be ready for the chances whenever they arrive. Keeping oneself fit in practice and be match ready is equally important.

“It’s tough not knowing when you are going to get a game,” quoted Kyle Abbott. “The key is to still tick the boxes at practice and when those opportunities come, there is no time for questioning out there, ‘have I done the work’? Coming up against a quality batting line-up like Australia, you need to stay on top of your game even if you are not playing,” he added.

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Abbott further said that the team knew they should not be complacent. Despite winning the series already, it was important to stamp complete authority. He is confident of putting up a good show in the 5th ODI too and hopes for the team to complete the whitewash.

“We celebrated well on Wednesday night after winning the series and that was the big challenge today, to put in another performance knowing that the series was secured and not take our foot of the gas. We did that pretty well. Coming up to Wednesday, I don’t think we will do anything differently. We will stick to what we’ve done that’s won us four games and hopefully make it five and make some history,” he remarked.