Queensland's X-factor who could have been a non-factor

Xavier Bartlett helped crack the Marsh Sheffield Shield final wide open on Saturday but Queensland's much-loved rookie fast bowler knows he might not have been playing at all had one of his close mates been fit.

Bartlett briefly allowed himself to believe a win inside three days could be on the cards as he helped rip through New South Wales' brittle top-order in a thrilling conclusion to the game's third day at Allan Border Field.

The hosts will have to wait at least another day, with the Blues adamant they can still fight their way back into the contest despite their top five batters all being dismissed before stumps.

Bartlett (3-31) and Brendan Doggett (2-26) starred late on Saturday after the pair had largely played second fiddle to fellow quicks Michael Neser and Jack Wildermuth in NSW's first dig on Thursday, who took all but one wicket.

And Bartlett is under no illusions over the likelihood that he might have been surplus to requirements completely had recent Test squad call-up Mark Steketee not suffered a season-ending side strain last month.

"Mark was in the Test squad (for the cancelled South Africa tour), he's been a really good player for us over the last couple of years," said the 22-year-old who has taken 19 wickets at 30.73 this season.

"He got an injury and I was the beneficiary of that.

"Mark's a good mate of mine and I'm feeling really sorry for him. He missed the last Shield final (Queensland won in 2018), he was 12th man.

"So it's a thrill and a privilege to get out here and represent Queensland."

The flipside of Steketee's misfortune is the opportunity for Bartlett, who earned high praise from Brisbane Heat teammates in his first KFC BBL season for his selfless acceptance at being used as a one-over new-ball specialist.

New BBL rules last summer allowed teams to substitute a player who had bowled no more than six balls at the 10-over mark of the first innings. The Heat were the only team to consistently look to use the rule to their advantage, meaning Bartlett was subbed out five times.

Bartlett made a point of being a sponge to Morne Morkel, the South African Test legend he was often taken out for, and now is leaning on the experience of the Bulls star quick and his Gold Coast club teammate, Neser.

"The only way you're going to get better is playing the game out in the middle," said the right-armer.

"All the opportunities I've had this year, I feel like I've come on a fair bit but still learning my game.

"I'm still a young bloke in the team, so learning off guys like 'Ness' is unbelievable. I've played with him in club cricket at for five or six years now.

"It's a lot easier when you come on after him, the blueprint is already there."

2021 Marsh Sheffield Shield final

Queensland squad: Usman Khawaja (c), Xavier Bartlett, Joe Burns, Brendan Doggett, Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Billy Stanlake, Bryce Street, Mitchell Swepson, Jack Wildermuth

NSW squad: Sean Abbott, Harry Conway, Trent Copeland, Jack Edwards, Matthew Gilkes, Josh Hazlewood, Lachlan Hearne, Baxter Holt, Daniel Hughes, Nathan Lyon, Peter Nevill, Kurtis Patterson, Jason Sangha, Tanveer Sangha, Mitchell Starc

The 2021 Marsh Sheffield Shield final will be broadcast LIVE in Australia on Foxtel & Kayo Sports. ABC Grandstand's live radio coverage will also be available on cricket.com.au & the CA Live app. Viewers in NZ can watch via Sky Sport, while fans in other countries can stream via Facebook HERE