The NSW all-rounder has been named in Australia's 17-man squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Having gained a yard of pace, Abbott has taken 14 wickets at 17.93 from 3 rounds of Sheffield Shield fixtures this season, including a six-fer on a flat pitch versus Western Australia. The 28-year-old is also an improved batsman, which has only helped his case in the eyes of the Australian selectors.
Read Also: Mark Taylor backs Will Pucovski to open during India Tests
When the restrictions imposed due to the viral outbreak were eased up a bit and training was allowed, Abbott sought help from former rugby player, Thomas Carter, and Ross Herridge, NSW's strength and conditioning coach, in looking after his body.
"It got to a period this winter where we didn't need to train, we were ready to go but we would just talk about being comfortable when we're most uncomfortable in games and enjoying the contest. It was almost like therapy in a way to go and just chat with Tommy," he was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
"But I think that has definitely helped, all the work that we've done has helped maybe gain a yard (of pace) but also sustain that for long periods of time. You want to be at your best on day four when the wickets are flat and you've to take 10 wickets to win a game."
Abbott revealed he had lost out on motivation with the bat after being dropped down in the order by NSW. But that didn't stop him from turning a corner for himself, as the Abbott who managed just one fifty each in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 first-class seasons, is currently averaging 130.5 this season with a maiden hundred against Tasmania to show for his growth.
"I don't like losing, so every time I went out there and made a duck or not a big score, it really hurt," he said. "The work had always been done (but) I'd be lying if I said the motivation was always there. When I was asked to be a nightwatchman and batting at nine and 10, you almost just feel like going out there and start slogging so you can get to bowling."
"I certainly didn't think I'd be batting at seven (for NSW) when (a few years ago) I was going out as nightwatchman and doing Nathan Lyon's job."
"It just sort of happened; I worked on my batting, I got better, I got some opportunities back up the order and scored some runs. I'm pretty fortunate that it worked out that way... they saw the way I was batting at training and they backed me in and believed in my ability to go back up the order," Abbott added.
Abbott is willing to bat higher up for Australia if they want and play the all-rounder who balances the side while also providing some relief to main pacers at the back half of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. But he is also quite realistic with his expectations on that front.
"If there's an opportunity to bat higher up the order and the selectors and Painey (skipper Tim Paine) think I can do that job, I won't even think twice about it," he said.
"I'd definitely say... if a bowling spot came up, I'd be more in line for that one as opposed to someone who can bat at six or seven. But we'll have to wait and see."