Australian pacer Abbott gets Bradman award

Sydney, Jan 27 (IANS) Pacer Sean Abbott was conferred the 2015 Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year award at the Allan Border Medal presentation ceremony by Cricket Australia here Tuesday.

Abbott bowled the bouncer that hit Phillip Hughes Nov 25, ultimately resulting in his death two days later. But he got widespread support from the cricketing fraternity which helped him overcome the tragic death of Hughes.

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He has since made a successful return to cricket and was impressive in Australia's domestic Twenty20 league - the Big Bash.

Abbott who made his senior Australian debut last October against Pakistan in a One-Day series garnered 42 per cent of the votes from fellow players to emerge as the winner.

"I feel privileged to receive such an award, especially after a couple of good seasons in a row on the field and some tough off seasons pushing myself to continually improve," Abbott was quoted as saying by the Cricket Australia website Tuesday.

The 22-year-old added that the prize was a reward for his hard work and that he was hopeful of a place in the Australian squad in the future.

"I feel that this is a reward for a lot of good work and finally putting some consistent good performances together," added Abbott.

"I am looking to improve my cricket every day and to keep putting good performances on the board for the New South Wales Blues and the Sydney Sixers and if I continue to perform consistently well, hopefully contribute to the Australian cricket team down the track."