With one ferocious spell of bowling that lasted just seven overs, Sean Abbott signalled that life will go on.

Abbott exorcised his demons in the wake of Phillip Hughes’s death with a man-of-the-match performance in his side’s innings and 80-run Sheffield Shield win over Queensland at the SCG on Friday.

He ripped through the Bulls line up to take 6-14 – his best bowling figures – to skittle Queensland for just 99.

Going into the game doubts remained about whether the cricketing public would ever see Abbott take the pitch again, let alone in the side’s first game back.

He displayed real venom and pace and had the Bulls batsmen at sixes and sevens as he produced reverse swing.

It was not just an important moment in Abbott’s healing, it was a cathartic moment for the whole side.

Captain Moises Henriques was at a loss to describe what had happened, he called the match unparalleled in the history of NSW cricket.

Coach Trevor Bayliss said it felt like life was quickly getting back to the way it used to be.

“The smiles on the faces around the dressing rooms were a long way from the faces around the dressing rooms a couple of weeks ago,” Bayliss said.

“It’s great to see the guys with a smile on their face.

“Before we played, I said this game wasn’t about winning or losing, it was about getting back on and playing cricket.

“I think it’s an absolute bonus we played good cricket and won.”

After Queensland once again suffered a batting collapse, Law suggested there would be changes to his line up when the Shield resumes in February.

“It’s been happening far too often this season, we’ve been losing wickets in one innings or both innings,” he said.

“There’s got to be some questions asked I think. We’re just not seeing the fight and the desire and the attitude that we need to perform well at this level.”