The Ashes plans of Australia’s selectors are becoming clearer with Sean Abbott excused from national Twenty20 duty so he can play a vital Sheffield Shield match.

Abbott is set to return to red-ball cricket in the fourth round of the Shield, when NSW host Victoria at the SCG in what will be an Ashes tune-up for multiple members of the Test squad.

Abbott will depart the T20 squad after three games of Australia’s five-match series against India.

Fellow paceman Josh Hazlewood will also leave the T20 squad prematurely, after two games of that series, to reset into red-ball mode and play the Shield match that begins on November 10.

The first Test between Australia and England begins on November 21, highlighting the importance of the SCG Shield showdown.

Abbott has featured in 56 white-ball

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