Queensland’s understrength attack have defied their underdog status to have the upper hand over a star-studded NSW in their Sheffield Shield match at Allan Border Field.

After being sent in to bat, the Blues were in dire straits at 8-167 at tea on a surprise opening day in which Test trio David Warner, Michael Clarke and Shane Watson were all dismissed in the first hour.

The Bulls’ inspired choice to bowl first at the small batsman-friendly oval paid off in spades with pacemen Alister McDermott (3-54), Luke Feldman (2-39) and Cameron Gannon (2-35) all profiting on a breezy day.

The trio stepped up in the absence of Ben Cutting (groin) and James Hopes (knee) to reduce the visitors to 4-52 before the first drinks break with Warner (two), Clarke (eight) and Watson (33) all falling to edges behind the grass-tinged wicket.

Peter Nevill and Nic Maddinson combined to steady NSW’s ship with a 69-run stand, but when McDermott had Maddinson caught at second slip for 36, it sparked another slump.

The Blues lost 4-46 – including Steve O’Keefe (20) and Mitchell Starc (three) – leading into tea, as former NSW spinner Nathan Hauritz had Nevill (42) caught in the deep with the last ball before the break to end his dogged three-hour stay.

With some grass on the pitch and stiff winds prevailing, the depleted Queensland attack had good movement through the air and off the wicket and did well to keep to a tight line.