A four-wicket haul by James Hopes has helped Queensland rip through Tasmania for 149 to take control of their Sheffield Shield clash.

At stumps on day one the Bulls were 2-135 in reply with a half century from Joe Burns (68) leaving the visitors well-positioned at Bellerive Oval.

A revised batting line-up designed to inject some stability for Tasmania was put to the test as Queensland won the toss and chose to bowl first.

With the usually reliable Ed Cowan (0) the first to fall in the third over, things looked grim early for the hosts.

He edged a Hopes (4-24) delivery to first slip to be caught out.

Just six overs later the home side were 2-13 when Hopes struck again, with Tassie skipper Alex Doolan (0) caught behind, also for a duck.

It was a fine comeback for Hopes who returned to the Bulls side from a rib complaint that became troublesome during the recent Big Bash League.

He showed no signs of discomfort as he led the bowling charge on Monday and after the lunch break dismissed Tim Paine (10) lbw and Luke Butterworth (0) in successive balls.

Ben Dunk (71) was the lone performer for Tasmania, firing four sixes and four boundaries in an innings cut short by spinner Cameron Boyce (2-7).

On a first-class debut, Queensland’s Mark Steketee (3-56) earned his pay cheque.

The right-handed paceman claimed the scalps of Ben Hilfenhaus (1), Sam Rainbird (3) and Jackson Bird (0).

Queensland started their innings steadily but found some rhythm after the tea break.

Burns notched up his 50 with a boundary off 92 balls but was caught behind two overs later off a Rainbird (1-38) delivery.

His replacement Peter Forrest (1) faced only five balls before being trapped lbw by Bird (1-37).

Charlie Hemphery (47 not out) and Chris Lynn (5 no) will resume for Queensland on Tuesday.