NSW made a bright start to their Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday, reaching 2-106 at lunch on day one.

Test discard Phil Hughes played aggressively on a very green wicket under overcast skies, moving to 62 not out having survived a tricky opening session on Thursday.

Australian fast bowler Ryan Harris, who was omitted from Australia’s one-day squad, looked lively and picked up both wickets to finish the session with 2-39.

Harris had opener Nic Maddinson out caught behind for 13 before removing classy left-hander Usman Khawaja just before lunch for 15 to a good catch in the deep to Steve Magoffin.

And he should have had a third, with Hughes on four when he was dropped off Harris’ bowling by third slip Chris Lynn in an otherwise chanceless innings.

The fifth-placed Blues are no chance of making the Shield final, but Queensland will be desperate to take maximum points from the match to put them in the box seat for a top-two finish.