Returning Test quick Ryan Harris has missed out on a hat-trick but he still stole the show to inspire Queensland’s 188-run Sheffield Shield win over NSW at the Gabba on Wednesday.

Harris thrashed a run-a-ball 50 to help the Bulls set a winning target of 371 before snaring 4-59 in his comeback match to help rout the Blues for 182 in their second dig in fading light on the final day.

He began NSW’s second innings on a hat-trick but Ryan Carters survived the first ball – just.

Harris was denied the caught behind shout but soon had plenty to celebrate.

He had match figures of 7-118 in an impressive first-class return before the Australian Test squad is named on Monday for the series against India starting at the Gabba on December 4.

Harris has not played in eight months due to knee surgery – not that you could tell.

After taking 3-59 in NSW’s first innings of 302, Harris bowled with venom again on Wednesday to have Nick Larkin (two), Scott Henry (two) and danger man Nic Maddinson (eight) caught behind to have 3-17 by lunch.

And Harris had his fourth scalp when he clean bowled Kurtis Patterson for 45.

Leg-spinner Cameron Boyce (3-48) was also on a hat-trick as he and captain James Hopes (2-18) mopped up the tail.

Earlier, Harris (50) and Hopes (69 not out) helped Queensland recover with the bat in a freewheeling 103-run eighth-wicket stand.

They rescued the Bulls from 7-72 in their second innings.

Queensland declared their second dig at 8-200 after resuming early on Wednesday at 7-102 due to a session lost to rain on Tuesday.

Queensland batsman Joe Burns was named man of the match thanks to his career best 183 in the Bulls’ first innings of 9(dec)-472.