Good news for Australian cricket: Ryan Harris is back and firing.

Queensland’s returning Test fast bowler Harris narrowly missed out on a hat-trick but still stole the show to have NSW in deep trouble in the Sheffield Shield clash at the Gabba on Wednesday.

Harris thrashed a run-a-ball 50 to help the Bulls set a winning target of 371 before striking with the new ball to have the Blues reeling at 4-36 in their second dig by lunch on the final day.

Harris 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 3-17 by lunch and six wickets for the match 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 first-class cricket in eight months due to knee surgery but it certainly didn’t look that way.

He bowled with venom again on Wednesday to have Nick Larkin (two), Scott Henry (two) and danger man Nic Maddinson (eight) caught behind, reducing NSW to 3-21.

Luke Feldman – fresh from a five wicket first innings haul – then trapped opener Carters (11) in front to have the Blues in trouble at 4-26.

Earlier, Harris (50) and captain James 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.