Australian cricketer Sean Abbott bowled a bouncer in his first over as he returned to action for New South Wales at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Abbott delivered the bouncer – at the same ground – that led to the death of batsman Phillip Hughes last month.
The 22-year-old took two wickets for 53 runs against Queensland in a four-day Sheffield Shield match on Tuesday.
He was applauded by spectators when he took the ball in the 13th over and bowled a bouncer with his fifth ball.
Hughes, 25, was struck on the neck and collapsed on 25 November. He died in hospital two days later.
The New South Wales players wore black armbands and had “PJH 707” stitched onto their shirts, in reference to Hughes being the 707th player to represent the state team.
Before the game, NSW captain Moises Henriques said: “From our point of view, we are trying to expel his name from the tragedy a little bit.
“I don’t think he was any more at fault than any fast bowler who has ever bowled a bouncer in his career.”
Abbott has received widespread support since the incident, including counselling from Cricket Australia.
He visited Hughes at St Vincent’s Hospital before he died and was comforted by the batsman’s sister, Megan, and Australia captain Michael Clarke.
Abbott took the wickets of Nathan Reardon and Ben Cutting on his return, as Queensland were bowled out for 268.
Earlier, commenting on reports Abbott was set to return to competitive cricket, former England captain Michael Vaughan tweeted: “Brilliant News…The whole #cricketfamily are right behind you Sean…”
The Australian national team is also playing its first match since the tragedy, in the delayed Test series against India at Adelaide.
