Australia’s fast-bowling stocks have taken another hit, with Sean Abbott suffering a match-ending hand injury in NSW’s Sheffield Shield clash with Victoria.<\/p>\n
Abbott split the webbing on his right hand while bowling on Wednesday afternoon at Junction Oval, and has been ruled out of the rest of the match.<\/p>\n
In doing so, NSW quick Charlie Stobo became the first player to be activated under Cricket Australia’s new injury-replacement rule.<\/p>\n
But the main concern will be for Abbott, who is every chance of being part of Australia’s Ashes squad if fit.<\/p>\n
The injury-replacement rule carries a mandatory 12-day stand-down for the injured player. Abbott is in the Australian squad for the T20 international against India in 14 days time.<\/p>\n
Bowling his 10th over of the day, Abbott fumbled a ball driven back at him by former Test player Peter Handscomb.<\/p>\n
The seamer immediately looked down at his right hand, before walking straight from the field to seek treatment.<\/p>\n
NSW medical staff ruled him out of the game about 30 minutes later, the 33-year-old likely to require stitches to his bowling hand.<\/p>\n
Abbott had earlier beaten the bat several times and had Harry Dixon caught behind in an impressive opening spell, as the hosts fell to 4-38.<\/p>\n
Jack Edwards also claimed three wickets for the Blues, before Handscomb (68 not out) and Mitchell Perry (48 not out) rescued Victoria to 5-170 at tea.<\/p>\n