Ex-Test quick Ryan Harris was on a hat-trick as Tasmania lost 3-2 before limping to tea at 5-124 on Thursday’s first day of the Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland at the Gabba.

Finally back from winter shoulder surgery, Harris celebrated his first Shield game of the season as Tasmania stumbled after emerging from lunch at 1-48.

Harris (2-46 off 16 overs) trapped Alex Doolan (21) in front and, next ball, had Australian Twenty20 captain George Bailey fending a ball to third slip.

And the Bulls were roaring when former national skipper Ricky Ponting (14) – averaging more than 111 in Shield this season – inexplicably pulled James Hopes (1-31) straight to Joe Burns.

After cruising at 0-47 before lunch, the Tasmanians suddenly found themselves reeling at 5-90.

It could have been worse – Jon Wells was dropped on seven in the slips by Peter Forrest off Cameron Gannon.

Wells (20 not out) and Tim Paine (15 not out) survived until tea in an unbroken 34-run stand.

Opener Mark Cosgrove (25) was the only wicket to fall in the first session, caught well short by a Greg Moller direct hit from cover after attempting a suicide single 20 minutes before lunch.

Tasmania had a wobbly start after lunch when Jordan Silk (25) was clean bowled by Alister McDermott (1-18 off 15 overs) before Harris sparked the mini-collapse.