A lot of luck helped Test aspirant Ben Cutting make an impressive Sheffield Shield comeback at the Gabba. Then again, he was due.

Five wickets all but fell in Queensland quick Cutting’s lap as Western Australia at one stage lost 5-55 to be all out for 359 on Wednesday.

WA launched a stunning counter attack to have Queensland 4-111 in their second innings – holding an overall lead of just three runs – before rain all but washed out day three’s final session.

While Queensland would have been forgiven for feeling as gloomy as the Gabba conditions late on Wednesday, Cutting could not hide a smile.

And why not – Cutting finally looks to have reversed his fortunes after claiming 5-99 following a two-month injury layoff.

Cutting narrowly missed out on gaining a baggy green when he was overlooked for James Pattinson and Mitchell Starc and named 12th man for December’s first trans-Tasman Test.

Instead of carrying the drinks, Cutting flew down to Melbourne for a Shield game to maintain match fitness – only to suffer a side strain blamed on the whirlwind trip.

Watching Pattinson and Starc emerge as strike weapons only added to Cutting’s frustration on the sidelines.

And when Cutting finally looked to make a welcome return in the Prime Minister’s XI against Sri Lanka last week, the tour match was washed out.

But Cutting had no complaints on Wednesday after a bizarre dismissal of Mitchell Marsh sparked his stunning five-wicket spell.

After resuming on day three at 0-56, Cutting broke through when an attempted bouncer stayed low, hit Marsh on the ankle and claimed the allrounder LBW for 19.

“I just laughed and said ‘sorry mate’,” Cutting said of the incident.

“I didn’t bowl that well today to be honest.

“I am a long way from my best.

“I have certainly bowled much better than that with worse results.

“Today I just got a bit lucky – but a five-for is a five-for.”

Cutting was even counting his blessings over the timing of his injury, considering he missed the entire Big Bash League but no first class cricket.

Yet Cutting was not considering a West Indies tour call-up – yet.

“I would love to (tour) but I just want to get overs under my belt – my first priority is the Shield final,” he said.

WA easily earned first innings points but would have been disappointed to only hold a 108-run overall lead after sitting pretty at 2-234 on Tuesday.

But Marsh (2-14) led a WA fightback, breaking a 53-run second wicket stand between Ryan Broad (40) and Andrew Robinson (30).

Meanwhile, Queensland are sweating on the fitness of allrounder Michael Neser (ankle).