Labuschagne to make Sheffield Shield return for Queensland in must-win battle

The Queensland Bulls will welcome back one Test star for their Sheffield Shield match against South Australia, but have lost another.

Test batsman Marnus Labuschagne will make a timely return to the Queensland side for the Bulls’ vital Sheffield Shield clash against runaway competition leaders South Australia.

However, the Bulls will be without his Labuschagne’s Test teammate Usman Khawaja, with the veteran opener having informed Queensland selectors that he was “unavailable for selection” for this match.

With one round of the season remaining, the Bulls have lift themselves into second spot on the ladder after a comprehensive victory over Tasmania last week.

Khawaja starred in Queensland’s nine-wicket win over the Tigers with knocks of 127 and 33 not out.

Marnus returns to the squad for our crucial clash against South Australia this Saturday.#MaroonGrown#SheffieldShieldpic.twitter.com/hWkupOCEdG

— Queensland Cricket (@qldcricket) March 12, 2025

However, to seal a top-two berth and get another shot at the South Australians in the decider, Queensland will need to beat them in the match starting on Saturday at Karen Rolton Oval.

Bulls captain Labuschagne did not play in his side’s win over Tasmania, having not arrived home in time from his Champions Trophy commitments with Australia in Pakistan and the UAE – but he will lead the team in the final-round clash.

In what’s shaping as a title battle for second spot, the Bulls are with 36.8 points and ahead of NSW (35.39), WA (34.43), Victoria (32.49) and Tasmania (27.61).

In other final-round matches, WA hosts Victoria at the WACA Ground, and NSW travel to Bellerive Oval to meet Tasmania.

South Australia (51.76) can’t be caught at the top of the table.

The Bulls will travel to Adelaide on Thursday as training facilities in Brisbane are unavailable due to Cyclone Alfred.

Bulls squad: Marnus Labuschagne (c), Jack Clayton, Lachlan Hearne, Angus Lovell, Ben McDermott, Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Jackson Sinfield, Mark Steketee, Tom Straker, Mitchell Swepson, Callum Vidler, Jack Wildermuth (three to be omitted).