Queensland suffered a major blow on Wednesday ahead of the cut-throat final round of Sheffield Shield matches with strike bowler Ben Cutting breaking down injured.

The second-placed Bulls have ruled Cutting out of their crucial clash with South Australia, starting on Thursday at the Gabba, after he suffered a groin injury at training.

Paceman Luke Feldman replaces Cutting, who has been in exceptional Shield form this season and will play if the home side choose a four-prong pace attack.

While the 24-year-old was close to being fit, Queensland coach Darren Lehmann isn’t prepared to risk the bustling right-armer and having him unavailable for the Shield final.

The Bulls, six points behind Western Australia and level with Tasmania and Victoria, will qualify for the March 16-20 decider if they score an outright victory over the struggling Redbacks.

Queensland selectors are mulling over whether to include legspinner Cameron Boyce instead of Feldman or opt for a full pace assault on what is expected to be a lively Gabba wicket.