Victoria have staggered to 4-71 at lunch on day one of their Sheffield Shield match after being sent in to bat by strife-torn NSW.
The last-placed Blues axed coach Phil Jaques this week after their worst start to a season in 14 years.
But fast bowler Sean Abbott has inspired a strong start to life under caretaker coach Greg Shipperd at Junction Oval on Thursday.
Abbott had an immediate impact on his return from national duties, bowling Victorian opener Ashley Chandrasinghe through the gate for a nine-ball duck.
The right-arm quick then removed the dangerous Nic Maddinson (13) after the left-hander had shown some controlled aggression in belting a four and a six over fine leg.
Maddinson chopped on with an angled shot, leaving Abbott with figures of 2-28 from 10 overs at lunch.
Mickey Edwards (1-16) removed out-of-sorts opener Travis Dean (18), who was caught at third slip.
And Moises Henriques (1-11) struck a huge blow when he dismissed in-form Victorian captain Peter Handscomb (18) moments before the long break, with Abbott taking the catch at first slip.
Will Sutherland (six not out) and second-gamer Campbell Kellaway (12no) were unbeaten at lunch.
The Blues' bowling line-up has also been bolstered by the return of legspinner Adam Zampa, who is playing his first Shield game in three years.
Both sides have picked two spinners on a green-tinged deck, with Zampa and Chris Green going head-to-head with Victorian duo Todd Murphy and Jon Holland.
The Blues are yet to unleash their spin duo in this match.
