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Patterson expects quicks to fire in final

In-form pace trio could play a big role for New South Wales in Shield decider, according to star batsman

Test batsman Kurtis Patterson is hoping New South Wales' in-form pace attack can prove pivotal in this week's JLT Sheffield Shield final against Victoria.

The Blues' quicks have found form at the right time of the season, with Sean Abbott, Trent Copeland and Harry Conway all making an impression in recent times to help their side qualify for the Shield decider.

Abbott was the hero that helped catapult the Blues into the final with a seven-wicket haul against Tasmania on Saturday, while Copeland (44 wickets for the season) and Conway (collected career best figures of 5-14 against Victoria earlier this month) have also been at the top of the game of late and look set to play a big role at the Junction Oval in Melbourne.

Patterson has been impressed with the work rate of his bowlers throughout the season and expects the trio of quicks to play a big part in New South Wales' quest for a first Shield title since 2014.

“It really helps when you’ve got three fast bowlers at the top of their game and really hurting the opposition," Patterson said.

“I love this bunch of guys, they’re all really willing to learn, and really willing to help each other out when we need to.”

Abbott's seven helps NSW skittle Tassie

New South Wales head into the final having won three of their four matches since Christmas, with their sole blemish coming against Victoria at Drummoyne Oval in the penultimate round of the season.

The only two matches the Blues have lost for the entire season have come at the hands of their opponents in the final and Patterson knows his side will need an improved performance if they are to reverse that trend.

“Yes, it’s a final, and it would be great to win it, but I think the focus for us as a group is just that, that it is an opportunity, another game for us to go out there and play," Patterson noted.

“The way we’ve built momentum, unfortunately we had a little trough against the Vics last week, but the way we’ve built momentum since Christmas has been fantastic.

“We’ve still got a couple of areas to improve, so hopefully we can put that close to perfect game together next week.”

Brilliant Blues bag five in an hour

New South Wales could regain two experienced players for the Shield decider, with veteran spinner Steve O'Keefe (hamstring soreness) and skipper Peter Nevill (family reasons) in contention to return to the squad for the five-day contest.

That could see two unlucky players drop out of the XI that featured against Tasmania as selectors try and find the right mix to beat Victoria for the first time this season.

Experienced paceman Abbott believes the Blues' depth has been part of the reason behind their success and the ongoing fight for selection has proven a positive for his side.

"It’s a young group ...the young guys have come in and brought a fresh approach and that energy around training and especially in games," Abbott said.

"It’s those guys that are pushing their case back in Sydney and in second XI.

"Even Greg West and Liam Hatcher back in the nets the other day put on a clinic and I thought I might not have got myself back in the side 

"There are guys pushing for spots and there are guys bowling well who aren't in the XI which is putting the wind up the guys in the XI."