Aussie batting prodigy Sam Konstas scored a half-century but failed to drag NSW over the line to advance to the Sheffield Shield final.
His dismissal for 68 triggered a major collapse, with the Blues losing 5-28 and ultimately falling to Tasmania by 326 runs on Tuesday evening.
Opening partner Blake Nikitaris (51) was the first to fall, with veteran Kurtis Patterson out for a duck and young gun Konstas gone soon after.
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Tuesday marked the last day of the domestic red-ball tournament and leading in, only one team – South Australia – was guaranteed a spot in the trophy decider.
Queensland sat second on the table heading into the final day of play but their match against the Redbacks finished in a draw after a century from Jason Sangha.
Nonetheless, the Bulls finished second on the ladder and qualified for the final against South Australia.
"I've never played in a season where three wins could potentially get you into a Shield final. It's crazy to think that," Queensland batter Jimmy Pierson said before the last day of the match.
Queensland, NSW, and Western Australia all had three wins, three draws, and three losses before the last matches of the season. They were separated by bonus points. thanks to a rather convoluted system.
Both NSW and Western Australia could have leapfrogged Queensland for second spot with a victory but these results did not eventuate with the Blues getting smashed with a session to spare and the Warriors suffering a 34-run loss to Victoria.
Konstas began the season with a couple of neat centuries that eventually pushed him into a Test debut at the MCG, where he wowed fans and stunned India.
The 19-year-old has since been on a rollercoaster, with many criticising his brash new batting style that has seen his form fluctuate – although he hit another Shield century against Queensland last month.
The Shield final between South Australia and Queensland will start on Wednesday, March 26 at Adelaide's Karen Rolton Oval.
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