David Warner has warmed up for the first Ashes Test with a hard-hitting half century in NSW’s Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland in Brisbane.

At lunch on day one, the Blues are 1-128 with Nic Maddinson not out 62 after winning the toss.

A day after being named in the Australian side for next week’s Ashes opener, the Blues opener thrashed six fours and a six in a 62-ball knock of 52 before chancing his arm once too often.

Warner brought up his half century in style by smashing leg spinner Cameron Boyce (1-25) out of Allan Border Field for six.

But next ball Warner tried to repeat the feat at the small suburban ground, only to send it down the throat of Usman Khawaja on the white picket fence boundary at deep mid-wicket.

Maddinson – an Australian Twenty20 international – tried to keep up with Warner as the left handed openers blazed away from the outset.

By lunch Maddinson had hit eight fours and a six.

Test vice-captain Brad Haddin leads a strong Blues outfit despite being without Australian captain Michael Clarke.

Besides Warner, Steven Smith and off-spinner Nathan Lyon have also lined up for NSW after being named in the Australian squad for the first Test at the Gabba.

Meanwhile, Joe Burns will slot in as opener for Queensland in the absence of Nathan Reardon (eye).

Khawaja and quick Ben Cutting return from Australia A duty for the Bulls after being overlooked by Test selectors.

Cutting replaces Test quick Ryan Harris while Alister McDermott and Michael Neser have made their first Shield starts this summer, replacing injured pair Luke Feldman (hamstring) and Cameron Gannon (side).