Test spinner Nathan Lyon will return for NSW in their first match following the Sheffield Shield break while last-start centurion Kurtis Patterson is facing the axe.

Lyon, emerging Australian paceman Gurinder Sandhu and Nic Maddinson have been named in a 12-man Blues squad to take on Tasmania in Hobart starting on Sunday.

Maddinson missed NSW’s last Shield clash with Queensland prior to the mid-season break as he struggled with the death of Phillip Hughes.

His withdrawal gave Patterson his start and he grabbed the opportunity with both hands, hitting 126 to help guide NSW to a dramatic innings-and-80-run win over the Bulls.

Blues coach Trevor Bayliss now faces a selection headache after Maddinson starred for the Sydney Sixers in their Big Bash League campaign, finishing third on the run-scorers list.

He has also averaged 63 from two Shield appearances in 2014-15.

Lyon comes into the side for Will Somerville while Mitchell Starc, who is with the Australian side in the lead up to the World Cup, will also be missing for NSW.

Sean Abbott, fresh off being named Australian young cricketer of the year at the Allan Border Medal last week, will be looking to pick up where he left off after decimating Queensland with a six-wicket haul.

NSW: Moises Henriques (capt), Sean Abbott, Doug Bollinger, Ryan Carters, Scott Henry, Nick Larkin, Nathan Lyon, Nic Maddinson, Peter Nevill, Stephen O’Keefe, Kurtis Patterson, Gurinder Sandhu.