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Blues revel in Abbott success story

Teammate Copeland offers insight into hugely emotional period

Having spent the past fortnight trying to keep Sean Abbott's name out of the headlines, NSW Blues gladly celebrated their young quick today after he delivered them a Bupa Sheffield Shield victory that captain Moises Henriques says is one their best.

The 22-year-old's name was unfortunately thrust into the media spotlight a fortnight ago following the passing of Phillip Hughes, who died from injuries he suffered when he was struck by an Abbott bouncer at the SCG.

Led by Henriques, the Blues players have tried to remove Abbott's name from the Hughes discussion, reasoning that he was as much at fault for the tragic incident as any fast-bowler who's ever bowled a short ball.

But the Blues could do little to prevent Abbott being spoken about on Friday after he claimed career-best figures of 6-14 as NSW stormed to an unlikely victory over Queensland at the SCG.

At one point on a dramatic final afternoon, Abbott found himself on a hat-trick with figures of 5-5 as the Bulls were steamrolled for 99 to lose by an innings and 80 runs, a result that had looked unlikely when persistent Sydney rain had left the Blues less than three sessions to claim the 10 wickets they needed for victory.

Quick Single: Abbott's six wickets rout Queensland

The win capped an emotional fortnight for NSW, Hughes's first state team, who had to deal with a level of media scrutiny not normally associated with the build-up to a Shield match.

Former Test quick Trent Copeland, currently on the comeback trail from a back injury, trained with the Blues in the lead-up to the match before flying to Adelaide to commentate on the first Commonwealth Bank Test on ABC Grandstand radio.

Having watched Blues stars Michael Clarke, David Warner, Steve Smith and Nathan Lyon achieve great personal success in the Test against India, Copeland said he was just as thrilled for Abbott and his teammates.

"Everyone's caught up in the emotion and are really sad about the occasion, it's been so tough," Copeland told cricket.com.au.

"I can't imagine what the players went through having to get back on the park.

"Experiencing a little bit of that in the commentary box looking at a few of the Australian players who are good mates of mine, they've shone through with some great performances.

"So it's great that Sean took six and bowled NSW to victory and no doubt there'll be some heavy hearts and some teary eyes when they think and look back at this game as a tribute to their good mate."

Not only did Abbott's performance reveal an impressive mental fortitude, it also re-affirmed an enormous cricketing ability that has already earned him ODI and T20 caps for his country.

Hailing from Sydney's western suburbs, Abbott made his state debut as an 18-year-old when he forced his way into a Blues side that included fellow quicks Brett Lee, Stuart Clark and Copeland.

His 2013-14 summer with the Blues yielded 27 Shield wickets and a competition-high 16 in the Ryobi Cup, which earned him the Steve Waugh Medal as NSW's player of the season.

And he didn't look out of place at the start of what will likely be a long international career, twice taking the wicket of Pakistan's Shahid Afridi when he was given a surprise call-up for Australia's tour of the UAE in October.

And while Abbott's bowling has earned him a permanent spot in the Blues side, Copeland has likened his batting ability to that of his state captain.

"He's got so much talent, he looks like a young Moises Henriques when he bats," Copeland said.

"Particularly in the nets and the way they carry themselves, their mannerisms and things like that.

"He's one of those young cricketers who's always keen to learn.

"He's always working with (NSW bowling coach and former Test quick) Geoff Lawson, trying to improve himself as a cricketer and I think his batting has a long way to go as well.

"He bowls with such good pace and he's such a good exponent of reverse swing.

"I think his figures in the last couple of years in Shield cricket have been improving and hopefully he can springboard off this six-for."