They say where there is life, there is hope.

However, Queensland will try to turn the old adage on its head when they look to stay alive in the Sheffield Shield final race without captain James Hopes.

The dead-last Bulls need an outright win in their Gabba clash starting on Saturday to remain in the final mix – but that will be easier said than done.

Besides the withdrawal of inspirational skipper Hopes (rib), Queensland lines up against ladder leaders Victoria boasting returning quick James Pattinson, ex-Test seamer Peter Siddle and Australian opener Chris Rogers.

And the match will be the first since Queensland parted ways with coach Stuart Law amid reports the former Test batsman had lost the confidence of the dressing room.

However, the Bulls will welcome back Test batsman Joe Burns and Chris Lynn, who plays his first Shield game of the season due to off-season shoulder surgery.

Lynn warmed up for his Shield return as the Brisbane Heat’s leading run-scorer in the Big Bash League, belting 243 runs at a strike rate of 148.

It was enough for him to be picked up this week by Chris Gayle’s Jamaica Tallawahs in the Caribbean Premier League draft.

The Bulls will also welcome their third debutant for the match after allrounder Simon Milenko replaced Hopes (rib).

Wicketkeeper Chris Hartley takes over the reins from Hopes, who was troubled by the rib complaint throughout the recent BBL.

Hopes is aiming to contest the Bulls’ next Shield game against Tasmania in Hobart starting on February 16.

Milenko will join batsmen Charlie Hemphrey and Michael Philipson as Shield first-timers against the Bushrangers.

At the halfway mark of the Shield season, the Bulls have just one win from five matches, while the Bushrangers are top of the table with three victories.

Meanwhile, Victorian opener Rogers needs another 117 runs to move into the top-10 Shield run scorers of all time.