Sean Abbott took two wickets as he returned to first-class cricket for the first time yesterday since bowling the ball that killed Phillip Hughes.

Australia batsman Hughes died on November 27 aged 25, two days after being struck on the head by a bouncer from New South Wales paceman Abbott while batting for South Australia.

Abbott’s initial four-over spell yesterday went for nine runs while eight came from his next four, and, in his third spell and his 10th over, he took his first wicket by bowling Nathan Reardon for six.

His second was not long in coming, occasional international all-rounder Ben Cutting edging the second ball of Abbott’s next over to wicketkeeper Peter Nevill. 

Abbott roared in celebration after both wickets and ran to Nevill and the slips with his arms aloft.