A slow-scoring Queensland are 3-105 at tea on day one of their top of the table Sheffield Shield clash with Western Australia at the Gabba.

Patient opener Wade Townsend is 52 not out off 185 balls in a four-hour knock and Chris Lynn unbeaten on 15 after ladder leaders Queensland won the toss.

Former Bulls quick Nathan Rimmington (2-17 off 14 overs) has been the pick of a miserly WA attack.

Queensland resumed at 1-46 after lunch and reached their half century off 211 balls, taking 133 minutes.

But they soon lost Andrew Robinson (23 off 73 balls) and Joe Burns (six) to be reduced to 3-73 in the 49th over.

The sluggish scoring ground to a complete halt when play was briefly stopped as Townsend recovered from a delivery by WA quick Michael Hogan that struck the nuggety opener in the groin.

Townsend had a bit of luck – he was dropped in the slips on 45 and survived two confident LBW shouts, all off Nathan Coulter-Nile (1-30 off 14 overs).