The return of Test aspirant Ben Cutting has not stopped Western Australia making a strong start in pursuit of Queensland’s first innings 251 in their Sheffield Shield clash at the Gabba on Tuesday.

At lunch on day two, WA were 0-57 with Liam Davis not out 31 and Wes Robinson unbeaten on 26.

Bulls quick Cutting is on the comeback trail after returning from a side strain suffered in December, shortly after being named 12th man in the first trans-Tasman Test.

Cutting had 0-12 off three overs by lunch.

The start of each respective innings could not be more contrasting.

WA passed 50 in 78 balls and 53 minutes – where as the Bulls on Monday needed 133 minutes and 211 balls to reach the half-century mark.

After Queensland laboured to 7-212 by stumps on Monday, Chris Lynn helped the Bulls score a run a minute on Tuesday before he was bowled for 80 by ex-teammate Nathan Rimmington (3-63) to end the innings.

Nathan Coulter-Nile (4-66) was the pick of the miserly WA attack while Mitchell Marsh (2-25 off 17 overs) was also impressive.

Lynn resumed on 57 not out and put the foot down on Tuesday as wickets began to fall at the other end.

Overall he hit eight fours and two sixes in a 162-ball knock that lasted 238 minutes.

It was in contrast to Queensland’s snail’s pace on Monday, a display typified by opener Wade Townsend.

The nuggety left-handed batsman (54) reached his half century in 185 balls, hitting just two fours.

The Bulls are on top of the Shield ladder with 30 points and can take another confident stride toward booking a final spot with success against second-placed WA (20 points).