An emotional Andy Bichel stirred Queensland's spirits but it was Joe Dawes who shook up NSW in an engrossing start to the Pura Cup at the Gabba.

Dawes ripped through the Blues middle-order to take 6-49 and make the visitors pay for wasting a solid start on a traditionally fast and bouncy Brisbane strip.

The Bulls pacemen welcomed the return of a hard but grassy Gabba pitch like an old friend by rolling the Blues for 203.

NSW, which surprised the home side by electing to bat after winning the toss, had been cruising at 1-89 after lunch.

But the season-opening match swung the Bulls' way with 4-9 collapse in a horror 30-minute period for the Blues where Bichel (3-50) claimed two key wickets.

The former Australian quick had been in tears before play when both sides observed a minute's silence in memory of former Test great Keith Miller and Bichel's late uncle Don, who played for Queensland in the 1960s.

"Bic's a massive part of this team," Dawes said.

"In the passion side of things as well as his fantastic ability with the bat and ball.

"It's a big day for him, he's wanted to go to a funeral today."

Queensland will resume on Saturday at 2-64 with first-innings points in sight after skipper Jimmy Maher (23 not out) and Andrew Symonds (29 not out) weathered a late NSW fightback with a crucial stand.

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