Brisbane, Feb. 24 : Injured Australian all-rounder Shane Watson will launch his latest comeback in Queensland''s Sheffield Shield clash with New South Wales starting at the Gabba on Thursday.

Finally fit after suffering a back stress fracture, Watson will play as a batsman in a match critical to the Bulls'' hopes of meeting already-qualified Victoria in the Shield final.

One of the heroes of Queensland''s weekend one-day title success, pacer Ben Laughlin, is in line for his first class debut after also earning a Bulls nod.

Laughlin finished with 23 wickets at 14.86 from his 11 one-day matches, the most by a Queenslander in a domestic limited overs season.

It eclipsed James Hopes'' 20 wicket haul in 2006-07.

Martin Love, Queensland''s all-time leading run-scorer, will make his farewell appearance at the Gabba in the New South Wales clash after announcing on Tuesday he will retire at the end of the season.

Queensland (22) are two points behind second-placed Tasmania on the Shield ladder and two points ahead of No. 4 outfit Western Australia (20) with two rounds of the four-day competition left.

Leaders Victoria (40 points) is already assured of hosting next month''s final at Junction Oval.

Queensland: Chris Simpson (captain), Ryan Broad, Lee Carseldine, Ben Cutting, Chris Hartley, James Hopes, Nick Kruger, Ben Laughlin, Martin Love, Chris Swan, Andrew Symonds, Shane Watson (12th man to be named). (ANI)