‘Still have to prove myself’ – Abbott

Boxing Day could bring Kyle Abbott a belated Christmas present. It’s one he has tried not to think too much about. It’s the gift of security.

If Abbott is in the XI to take on Sri Lanka – and all indications from his own form to coach Russell Domingo’s hope that players use this series to cement spots suggested as much – it would be his fourth Test in 2016, the most in a calendar year for him. It would also be Abbott’s third consecutive Test for South Africa and his 10th overall. These are hardly milestones, but considering he had taken 46 months to rack up these numbers, they were important.

In another country, perhaps, Abbott might have established himself in far less time. But in South Africa, where Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel have been mainstays for a decade, where Vernon Philander recorded the best start a seamer has made in more than 100 years and where Kagiso Rabada’s prodigious talent fast-forwarded his progression, Abbot has had to fight. And wait. And hope.

After a productive tour of Australia – 13 wickets at 14.84 – he seems to have finally earned a sustained run in the Test side. His Christmas present is almost at hand, but he is not quite sure about tearing the wrapping off just yet.

“I don’t think anything is secure at this level unfortunately, or cricket in general,” Abbott said. …

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