No pressure on Sean Abbott to make imminent cricket return: NSW Chief Executive Andrew Jones

Sean Abbott during Phillip Hughes’ funeral on Wednesday

Following the passing away of Phillip Hughes last Thursday, the decision on when Sean Abbott should resume playing the game has been left completely to him, according to New South Wales (NSW) Chief Executive Andrew Jones. The 22-year-old fast bowler, who made his limited-overs debut for Australia against Pakistan in the UAE in October, has got support from across the cricketing fraternity, asking him to stay strong during this traumatic time.

He was present during Phillip Hughes’ funeral on Wednesday and attended training along with his NSW teammates a day before the funeral.

NSW take on Queensland in their next game at Sydney on Tuesday, and Jones said that it would be left to Abbott to decide whether he wants to play the game again or not.

"He's in the same boat as everybody else. It's a matter for him to see what he wants to do so we'll let him make that decision,” Jones said.

"We'll just regroup then and confirm where everybody is at and if everyone's comfortable to play or not comfortable to play or where individuals are at, and go from there," he added.

No match will be played on the pitch where Hughes was fatally hit while playing for South Australia for the rest of the Australian summer, having been "retired" by groundsmen.

Hughes’ South Australian teammates, who were present at his funeral, are still undecided on whether they should play their next Sheffield Shield game against Tasmania at Hobart, next Tuesday.

It would help Abbott if resumes playing soon: Experts

According to some trauma experts, it would help Abbott a great deal if he mingles with his NSW teammates as that could be useful in him recovering quickly from the psychological damage.

“I wouldn't recommend (the players) stay away (from the sport) at all, actually,” Michael Burge, director of the Australian College of Trauma Treatment, said.

“They just need to be taking into account that they may be a little bit awkward or not quite on their game as they were for a few weeks.

“(They should) give themselves some self-latitude, some tolerance and compassion to be, perhaps, less than their best," he added.