New South Wales cricket captain Simon Katich says he empathises with his Blues team-mate Brett Lee, who remains on the fringe of the Australian Test team.
Lee looks likely to be 12th man for the fifth consecutive time when the first Test against Pakistan starts in Perth tomorrow.
Katich, who was selected in Australia's one-day squad for the series against New Zealand but did not play, says he and Lee must remain patient.
"You enjoy being a part of it, so it's one of those things you have to do when you're on the edge," he said.
"You've just got to bide your time and make sure you do everything you can to try and stay in reasonable form, even though you're not playing, and that means plenty of time in the nets."
Katich will lead New South Wales against Tasmania in the four-day first-class cricket match at the SCG, starting on Thursday.
But the Blues, who have won their past three matches, will have to face the Tigers without the services of Lee.
Cricket New South Wales asked Cricket Australia if Lee could join the Blues on the second day of the match against Tasmania, if the paceman is not named in the starting XI for the first Test again Pakistan.
But Cricket Australia refused the request.
New South Wales coach Trevor Bayliss said it was common sense for Lee to be excused of his expected 12th man duties, and said the rule needed to be reviewed.
"We hoped that they would see fit to allow that rule to go through," he said.
"I mean it's pretty much the same as the other rule where if they can pull someone out of a game, we just thought it was common sense I suppose."
New South Wales is currently on 18 points in second spot, just behind Queensland on 20 points.
The side is also undefeated at the SCG this season having beaten Western Australia, New Zealand and South Australia.