Sean Abbott helped give NSW the upper hand after an emotional day one of their Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland at the SCG.

The NSW all-rounder claimed two wickets as the Bulls were all out for 268 after the visitors controlled early proceedings.

NSW were 1-17 at stumps after losing Nicolas Larkin for a duck in just their second over late in the day.

The match was Abbott’s and his team’s first since the death of Phillip Hughes at the same venue two weeks ago.

Abbott (2-53) reinforced to selectors that he should still be in their plans for next year’s World Cup after dealing with a tremendously difficult period, having delivered the bouncer that felled Hughes.

On Tuesday he bowled admirably.

NSW players crowded around the 22-year-old to congratulate and support him after he bowled Nathan Reardon (six) with a beautiful yorker shortly after lunch.

He got his second victim with his next over when he had Ben Cutting (three) caught behind.

He got his first bouncer out of the way early, dropping it in short to Joe Burns with just his fifth ball.

Abbott and Starc (3-52) demoralised the Bulls in the second session as they collapsed from 1-105 to 6-132 in the space of eight overs.

After the Queenslanders looked dangerous early, it was Starc who got NSW on the front foot.

He dismissed opener Burns (59), who offered the Blues few chances before edging it to Scott Henry at second slip.

Chris Hartley (41) and captain James Hopes (85), after coming together at 6-132, offered some resistance in the final session.

They put on a 105-run partnership before Hartley was caught by Abbott at mid-on off the bowling of Will Somerville, who was also good with 2-31 off 15 overs.

Hopes, the Bulls’ highest run-scorer, would have been disappointed with his dismissal after slashing loosely at a Bollinger (1-67) delivery after looking strong.

Ryan Carters (seven) and Somerville (eight) were the Blues’ not out batsman at the close of play.