Ashley Noffke has outshone fellow Queenslander Mitchell Johnson, taking 5-36 to run through Sri Lanka's top order on the first day of the three-day tour match at Allan Border Field.

Sri Lanka declared at 9-210 after tea but regained some pride by picking up four Queensland wickets for 60 runs before bad light forced an early end to the day's play at 4.53pm with 5.4 overs remaining.

In a woeful warm-up performance for the tourists ahead of next week's first Test at the Gabba, Sri Lanka were 8-139 before wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene (58 not out) and Malinga Bandara (43) mounted a rescue bid with a 71-run partnership for the ninth wicket.

Noffke's figures included 3-2 from his first four overs.

The tall right-arm paceman removed Sanath Jayasuriya for one, Michael Vandort for four and captain Mahela Jayawardene lbw for a duck after the tourists were sent in to bat on a green-tinged deck.

Former Test fast bowler Michael Kasprowicz (2-28), in his first game for the Bulls this summer, struck in his second over when Thilan Samaraweera was caught behind for seven.

Chamara Silva was run out for a duck in the 19th over with Sri Lanka reeling at 5-45.

Test-squad member Johnson (1-39), who turned 26 on Friday, broke through with the last ball before lunch to have veteran opener Marvan Atapattu caught in the gully for 48 at 6-81.

Noffke's diving return catch to dismiss Chaminda Vaas for 13 after lunch gave the 30-year-old Gold Coaster his third five-wicket haul in three matches for Queensland this season, following dazzling all-round Pura Cup performances against Tasmania (5-33 and 100 not out) and NSW (5-108, 50 and 78).

Sri Lankan slinger Lasith Malinga and fellow quick Farveez Maharoof bowled fiery spells and claimed two wickets each late in the day.

Openers Jimmy Maher (4) and Ryan Broad (12) were gone inside the first 10 overs before Andrew Symonds hit Malinga for three consecutive boundaries in a quickfire innings of 22 off 20 balls.

Chris Simpson made a second-ball duck, caught at slip off Malinga, and night-watchman Andy Bichel was on nought with Clinton Perren on 19.

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