Burns by name. Burns by nature.

Queensland opener Joe Burns applied the blowtorch to NSW on a scorching day at the Gabba, stroking a stylish 183 to lead the Bulls to 3-326 by stumps on the opening day of their Sheffield Shield clash.

Ex-Australian one-day international Peter Forrest was not out 87 after sharing a 254-run third wicket stand with the impressive Burns.

The thermometer hit 40 degrees as Burns made the Blues sweat it out before being dismissed for his highest first-class score.

Burns cruised to his seventh first-class ton before being caught behind off tireless ex-Test quick Doug Bollinger (1-71 off 16 overs).

Burns stood tall after Gurinder Sandhu (2-53) struck early to reduce the Bulls to 2-29.

The Blues seamer had Marnus Labuschagne (six) caught behind before trapping Greg Moller (duck) in front to have Queensland in early trouble after winning the toss.

The stage was set for Test auditions but spinner Nathan Lyon (0-55) appeared to miss his curtain call – albeit on a typically seam-friendly Gabba deck.

Ex-Test spinner Stephen O’Keefe (0-57) was just as disappointing.

But the door is still open for other Test hopefuls to throw their hat in the ring ahead of the opening clash with India starting on December 4.

Test quick Ryan Harris is set to make his first-class return for Queensland.

It will mark the first match in eight months for the 35-year-old who last played in a series-clinching victory over South Africa in Cape Town.

Besides Harris, who is back from knee surgery that he underwent in March, last-placed Queensland have been boosted by the return of Ben Cutting, Nathan Reardon and Cameron Boyce.

The second-last Blues are missing Mitchell Starc (groin) and Josh Hazlewood (ODI duty) but still boast a quality bowling attack spearheaded by Bollinger.