Left-hander Nathan Reardon has been recalled but Queensland will be without pace spearhead Ben Cutting for this week’s Sheffield Shield clash in Sydney against NSW.

Cutting has been rested with a hamstring complaint after a gruelling start to his summer which has included a full Champions League Twenty20 campaign for the Brisbane Heat in India and playing every match for the Bulls in their domestic one-day cup victory.

“He has a bit of a niggle that we all agree will benefit from a period of rest and recovery,” Queensland chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said.

“We fully expect him to be available for the Perth clash from Friday week.”

Cutting has been replaced by seamer Matthew Gale for what will be his first Shield start of the season.

Reardon missed last week’s big loss to the Blues at Allan Border Field after copping a nasty blow to his head during the match against Tasmania.

The swelling around Reardon’s eye has gone down enough for him to come back to the set-up with Joe Burns the man to make way.

Hohns believes a return to club cricket will allow Burns to discover some form.

“We want Joey to get back into the habit of scoring some big runs and will be looking for him to put his case for selection as soon as possible,” he said.

Queensland: James Hopes (capt), Cameron Boyce, Peter Forrest, Matthew Gale, Nathan Hauritz, Chris Hartley, Usman Khawaja, Chris Lynn, Alister McDermott, Greg Moller, Michael Neser, Nathan Reardon (12th man to be named).