NSW selectors have shown faith in a 17-year-old off-spinner by picking him in the Blues' Sheffield Shield squad for their upcoming match against South Australia.

Arjun Nair, a Sydney Thunder rookie who made his first grade debut for Hawkesbury as a 15-year-old, is understood to have been told by NSW selectors on Sunday evening he had been included in the Blues squad for their clash against the Redbacks at Coffs Harbour starting on Thursday.

Spin wizard: Arjun Nair bowling for Hawkesbury against Bankstown. Credit:Michael Szabath

With Nathan Lyon in New Zealand and Stephen O'Keefe recovering from finger surgery, Nair will be on standby for Blues off-spinner Will Somerville, who is also no certainty to play due to to a finger injury.

Nair took 9-75 from 39.5 overs in a recent Futures League match against ACT and followed that performance up with 4-31 from 20.3 overs in a grade match on the weekend, bowling a NSW selector in the process.