Kyle Abbott hails from the same geographical area as Lance Klusener, Zululand, and there are many similarities between the two. Former South African bowling coach Vincent Barnes, who now runs the High Performance Centre, said Abbott combines good pace with control and some swing. Together with his hit ability to hit the ball a long way, Abbott is the kind of player who brings memories of the allrounders of the 1990s.

He began his career in the 2008-09 season for the Kwa-Zulu Natal provincial side and represented the Dolphins franchise from the next season in 2010. He was recognised by the national selectors the next year when he was picked to play List A matches against Bangladesh A but remained on the fringes until 2012 when he was again called up to play 50-over matches against Sri Lanka A.

In the summer that Klusener took over as Dolphins' coach, Abbott's longer-form game developed and he was the leading wicket-taker in the first-class competition in the 2012-13 season with 49 scalps. His performances earned him a place in the South African Invitation XI to play the touring Pakistanis and it was against them that he made his Test debut. Abbott was included in South Africa's squad for the third Test of the series but was initially only due to gain experience and act as cover. But Jacques Kallis picked up a calf injury in an optional practice session the day before the Test and Abbott was handed a debut.
Firdose Moonda