Sydney Sixers paceman Sean Abbott is putting forward a compelling case for a recall to the Australian side after emerging as one of the players of this summer's Big Bash League.
While a return for the upcoming tour of New Zealand is not out of the question, Abbott will be extremely hard to overlook for the Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka next month.
With gun duo Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood away on Test duties, the field is wide open for the bowling slots and Abbott's name will feature prominently in discussions.
The Sixers quick is the leading wicket-taker's in the BBL with 16 at 15.62 and added to his repertoire with a match-winning innings with the bat on Saturday night to lift his team into the semis.
Abbott has not been seen in the green and gold since a Twenty20 game against South Africa in November 2014 but is well placed to add to his four international caps.
Seeing good friends Starc and Hazlewood perform so well on the world stage was another spur.
"You want to get back there. You see your mates doing well, while they might not be playing T20s at the moment you want to play whatever cricket for your country with your mates," Abbott said.
"I want to get back there but my main focus is my BBL game in Brisbane and playing in a BBL final and winning that.
"If the selectors think I'm the fit they want for the Aussie T20s I'll make the most of that opportunity hopefully and see where that goes."
Abbott is a bowling all-rounder by trade however he is yet to get close to fulfilling his potential with the bat. He averages less than 15 in first-class cricket, with only one half-century from 45 innings, and a paltry nine in the shortest format.
His unbeaten 33 from 17 balls against the Stars could be the breakthrough knock Abbott is after.
"I've never really given myself a chance when I go out to bat. I work hard on my batting and feel like I'm hitting the ball well. I'm always trying to get better even though I haven't had the scores I wanted," Abbott said.
"I've had plenty of opportunities and been kicking myself I haven't really taken those opportunities yet.
"Even in this BBL when the lower order's been exposed for five or six overs and we haven't gotten together and got the team to a competitive total.
"I've been thinking to myself, keep giving myself a chance and get a way one game. Hopefully that will kick on for the games coming.
"I'm always looking to improve my batting for situations like this. You don't want to give up hope because you're not scoring runs."
Abbott is likely to come across the explosive Brendon McCullum when the Sixers take on Brisbane Heat in the semi-final on Wednesday.
McCullum may have retired from international cricket but remains a world-class batsman, especially in this form of the game.
"While you don't want to be on the receiving end of it you're in awe of the bloke even though he might be hitting you out of the park," Abbott said.
"I'll keep doing what I do in the Big Bash and hopefully it's our night again in Brisbane like it was a couple of games ago."
