Bollinger focused on Shield clash

Overlooked NSW quick Doug Bollinger is focused on producing another good performance at Sheffield Shield level and says he no longer gets caught up in Test speculation.

At 34, Bollinger is primed again to put his hand up for a remarkable Test recall in the Blues' historic Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland from Sunday in Mackay.

He appeared unlucky to miss out to West Australian Nathan Coulter-Nile, who was slotted into the national squad for next week's first Test against the West Indies in Hobart without a single first-class game under his belt since March.

National chairman of selectors Rod Marsh has made no secret of his preference for quicks who can charge in at 140km/h - a brief Bollinger still fills despite his veteran status.

However, Bollinger missed out to Coulter-Nile as a potential replacement for Test bowling spearhead Mitchell Starc (ankle) in the Hobart squad.

The first Test starts on Thursday.

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Bollinger, playing the last of his 12 Tests in 2010, has produced blistering spells with reverse swing for NSW this season, notching 12 wickets at just 17.

Asked if he was disillusioned by Coulter-Nile's selection, Bollinger told Sky Sports Radio: "Yeah, but you can't get caught up in it.

"If you don't get picked, you don't get picked.

"I have been in that situation before where you think 'do I need to change something in myself or my game?' but you need to keep banging on."

To his credit, Bollinger did salute Coulter-Nile's call-up, praising him as a "class allrounder".

But the fast bowler said he wouldn't be side-tracked by the snub when he took on Queensland in the first Shield game to be staged in Mackay.

"I am just trying to get on with it," he said.

"You do get caught up with sometimes worrying about what you need to do to get picked but that way you lose track of things."

The match will mark Queensland veteran James Hopes' 100th Shield match.

The 37-year-old becomes the 15th Queensland player to achieve the feat.

He is the leading Shield wicket-taker this season with 14 at an average of 19.07.