Abbott out of Quadrangular A-team series after ankle injury

Fast bowler Sean Abbott, captain of the National Performance Squad, has been ruled out of the ongoing Quadrangular A-team one day series after fracturing his left ankle, Cricket Australia said on Thursday.

Abbott suffered the injury during the rain-affected match against Australia A on Tuesday. A release from the board stated that the bowler was struck on the ankle off the final ball of the match, and will undergo scans in Sydney to assess the injury. Batsman Matthew Short will captain NPS in the remaining matches of the series.

"Sean was struck during Tuesday's match and suffered some damage to the ankle bone," Stephen Timms, a Bupa Support Team Physiothrapist, said. "Sean will undergo further scans in Sydney to assess the full extent of the damage and treatment required."

Abbott took two wickets after NPS' first two matches in the series. Victories in both matches put NPS on top of the table, ahead of Australia A, India A and South Africa A. Their next match is against India A on August 21.