AT 2.02pm on Tuesday, Sean Abbott bowled a near-perfect yorker that up-ended Queensland’s Nathan Reardon.

It was the 22-year-old’s first wicket of the day, the relief on his face visible as his teammates rushed to embrace him. Ten minutes later he had his second scalp.

When the clock reached 2.23pm Abbott was still bowling. This time, though, the game of cricket continued as normal, and so did Abbott.

It was exactly two weeks ago to the day, at 2.23pm, that Phillip Hughes was felled by a short ball, bowled by Abbott, that took Hughes’ life.

Sean Abbott celebrates his first wicket of the innings. Picture: Phil Hillyard. Source: News Corp Australia

That match was abandoned, and there were concerns for Abbott’s mental welfare in the aftermath.

But, just five balls into his first over on his return to the SCG on Tuesday, Abbott made a clear statement that he is ready to move on from the tragedy bowling a bouncer in New South Wales’ Sheffield Shield match against Queensland.

He had been practising his short balls in the nets leading up to the match and it was Joe Burns (59) who faced Abbott’s first short delivery back in competition, ducking under a high one in the 13th over.

Abbott continued toiling away, with the visitors firmly on top, before he finally got the breakthrough after lunch in the 42nd over. He removed Ben Cutting soon after.

Sean Abbott is congratulated by Stephen O'Keefe and Peter Nevill. Picture: Phil Hillyard. Source: News Corp Australia

While at the same time, Australia’s Test players were greeted by thousands of fans at Adelaide Oval for the first Test against India, the Blues walked on to the field where Hughes played his final innings to the warm applause of less than 100 people.

The NSW team, wearing ‘PJH 707’ on their shirts — in reference to Hughes’ Baggy Blue number — along with the two Queensland batsmen, paused for a moment of reflection before they crossed the ropes and walked past wicket No. 7, now retired for the remainder of the domestic season.

Abbott has received an outpouring of support, but Blues coach Trevor Bayliss said the day before play that it had almost been too much. The young all-rounder has handled the situation as well as can be expected and his teammates are determined to remove his name from any association with the tragedy.

The NSW players make their way out into the middle for the first time since Phillip Hughes’ death. Source: Getty Images

Bayliss gave his players until the last minute before play to decide whether they were up to taking to the field. Of them, only young opener Nic Maddinson took the opportunity to withdraw from the match.

By the end of day’s play, NSW was on 1-17 after Queensland had been bowled all out for 268 but, as Bayliss admitted, the result of the game is almost inconsequential — the priority is getting the players back on the field.

If it wasn’t for a fighting 85 from captain James Hopes, the Bulls could have been vastly worse off. But his knock, together with the late wicket of Blues opener Nick Larkin, kept the visitors in the contest.

Earlier, Mitchell Starc sent a reminder to Test selectors, picking up three wickets for 52.

Sean Abbott just bowled his first over since the death of Phillip Hughes. 5th ball was a bouncer. His mate will be grinning somewhere. — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) December 9, 2014

So great to hear Sean Abbott is not only back but that his 5th ball was a bouncer. So much respect #cricketfamily — Tim Barber (@TimBarberUK) December 9, 2014

Sean Abbott bowling at the SCG. The 5th ball of the his 1st over is a bouncer. Good to see the young kid back doing what he loves #AUSvIND — Pseudo_Tweets (@kartz37) December 9, 2014

Meantime, Sean Abbott continues his career at the SCG at the very same time. The 5th ball of his first over is a bouncer. Good on him. — Tom Chadwick (@TomChadwickFox) December 9, 2014

And there it is. Fifth ball a bouncer from Sean Abbott. What a great moment. Nice and high, sails through to the keeper — Anthony Sharwood (@antsharwood) December 9, 2014