Torrential rain looks set to wash out Queensland’s must-win one-day clash with Tasmania at the Gabba on Sunday without a ball being bowled.

A washout would be a blow to Queensland’s hopes of reeling in the one-day competition’s runaway leaders.

Third-placed Queensland (13pts) were desperate to chip away at leaders Victoria (19pts) and No.2 outfit South Australia (18pts) with a win over Ricky Ponting’s Tigers.

The stage had been set for Queensland to pick up from their three straight one-day wins before the Big Bash League break, with Bulls captain James Hopes returning from a hamstring complaint.

However, up to 300mm are expected to inundate south-east Queensland as ex-tropical cyclone Oswald moves down the coast on Sunday.

Queensland hope to next host Western Australia at the Gabba on February 2 – weather permitting – before playing the final qualifying one-dayer against Victoria at the MCG a fortnight later.

Queensland squad: Joe Burns, Luke Feldman, Peter Forrest, Cameron Gannon, Chris Hartley, Nathan Hauritz, James Hopes (capt), Usman Khawaja, Chris Lynn, Alister McDermott, Luke Pomersbach, Nathan Reardon.

Tasmanian squad: Jackson Bird, Aiden Blizzard, Ed Cowan, Alex Doolan, Ben Dunk, Andrew Fekete, Evan Gulbis, Matt Johnston, Jason Krejza, Tim Paine (capt), Ricky Ponting, Jonathan Wells.