Sean Abbott set for second bite of the cherry at Surrey

The Australia seamer, who lasted one game of his 2021 stint before suffering a hamstring injury, returns to the Kia Oval this summer. He will act as cover for Jamie Overton, who is sidelined with a stress fracture of his lumbar spine

County Championship holders Surrey have secured the return of Australia seamer Sean Abbott for the first four months of the new season.

The 30-year-old, whose first stint at the Kia Oval lasted one match in 2021, is available for the Championship and the T20 Blast.

Capped 17 times by Australia in white-ball cricket, Abbott has taken 475 wickets across formats and is currently part of the Sydney Sixers side gunning down a fourth Big Bash League title.

"It is great to be back on board with Surrey this summer," he said. "I can't wait to get back to The Kia Oval and join the lads and build on such a successful 2022 season."

^{Abbott is currently trying to win Sydney Sixers their fourth BBL title (Steve Bell/Getty Images)}

Joining Kemar Roach - who endured an injury-hit spell at Surrey last term - Abbott will form a key part of a bowling battery which is likely to be without Jamie Overton for large swathes of the campaign.

The ex-Somerset quick has suffered a stress fracture of the lumbar spine and though the length of his absence has not yet been confirmed, he is expected to sit out the Ashes which begin in mid-June.

Abbott joined for three County Championship matches and two Blast games two years ago but the spell went less than according to plan.

On debut for Surrey against Gloucestershire, he suffered a muscle injury on day three of the match and did not reappear.

^{Overton will cover for the loss of Jamie Overton (Nathan Stirk/Getty Images for Surrey CCC)}

Having been forced to return to Australia to rehabilitate, director of cricket Alec Stewart hopes the second spell is injury-free.

"We saw what he could do in his brief spell here in 2021 and I've kept in contact with him since, whilst monitoring his performances," he said. "His skillset and character will be an asset to our dressing room this season.

"It's a big blow to lose Jamie Overton with his back injury, as he's such a valuable asset to the team. He will receive all our support throughout his rehab programme and we look forward to welcoming him back when he's 100 per cent fit.

"In his absence, Sean will bring his own experience of winning trophies and is very capable with both bat and ball. Sean will add real strength to the group and he has all the tools necessary to help us as we look to build upon a successful 2022."

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