Blues coach Trent Johnston is adamant Sean Abbott remains a part of his Sheffield Shield plans this season, despite the quick bowler being dropped for this week's clash at the WACA against Western Australia.
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Abbott's demotion from the 13-man shield squad has bumped him several rungs down the pecking order of NSW's four-day fast-bowling battery.
Johnston has taken five quicks to Perth despite the unavailability of resting Test trio Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, and the retirement this week of veteran Doug Bollinger.
Trent Copeland and Harry Conway will lead the attack, while Charlie Stobo is in line to play just the second shield match of his career. Gurinder Sandhu and uncapped Mickey Edwards are also in Perth, alongside Test spinner Nathan Lyon, who will play this shield match before turning his focus to Australia's fast-approaching tour of South Africa.
Abbott has played three shield matches this season, taking seven wickets at an average of 49.
"He's had a pretty good Big Bash and white-ball campaigns over the last couple of years, but probably his red ball has let him down a little bit," Johnston said.
"We had a good chat with him and told him what he's got to do moving forward. He understands where he is.
"Sean's very much in our plans moving forward, but probably just not for this game. Having that speed on the ball with Sean, it could be important at the SCG and further games down the track.
"We thought it was an opportunity to try a couple of these younger quicks, especially Charlie Stobo who's been impressive in a couple of three-day games that we've had during the BBL. We know the wicket would certainly help him over here with bounce and the way he presents the seam.
"He's an exciting young cricketer so we felt that we'd give him an opportunity."
Ladder leaders NSW are chasing their first win since round three of the competition against Queensland, which was Lyon's last appearance in blue before helping Australia win back the Ashes.
He's up against several Australian teammates this week with Shaun and Mitchell Marsh, and Test opener Cameron Bancroft all available for selection.
The 30-year-old had been hoping to push his barrow for a limited-overs recall to the Australian side but ended up as David Willey's whipping boy on Canberra's Manuka Oval, the ground Lyon used to curate before emerging on the international scene.
"If there is a bit of grass in the wicket he potentially could utilise that even though spin probably hasn't been that successful over here in the past years.
"He's had a hectic schedule through the Ashes so we've given him as much time off as he needs to freshen up and get him right for this game and I suppose the tour coming ahead for South Africa."
