Usman Khawaja made his strongest case yet for a Test recall as he dominated a paltry Queensland batting effort with a masterly 70 in demanding conditions at the Gabba.

Western Australia ended the opening day firmly in control with Cameron Green playing equally as well as Khawaja, but Queensland would have been in an even deeper hole without their captain who helped haul them from the depths of 7 for 56 having been inserted on a green pitch.

Other Test match strands played out with Jhye Richardson impressing as he claimed 3 for 38 but Michael Neser sent a scare into Australia's plans when he limped off midway through his ninth over having injured his hamstring.

Neser was one of three injuries during the day with Joel Paris also suffering a hamstring strain having done the early damage to Queensland with two wickets in two balls including Marnus Labuschage first ball.

Shaun Marsh was later forced to retire hurt with a calf injury early in Western Australia's reply but having slipped for 2 for 18, Green and Josh Philippe produced the most confident partnership of the day to stitch together an unbroken 90 through to stumps.

Seven of Queensland's top eight had fallen in single figures as they were undone by an accurate pace attack that exploited conditions well. Paris had Bryce Street playing on trying to leave then Labuschagne pushed forward the first ball to edge behind.

Joe Burns played a poor stroke, miscuing a pull to mid-on, while both Matt Renshaw and Jimmy Peirson edged to the keeper off Lance Morris - the latter falling to a terrific catch in front of first slip.

Cameron Bancroft also did very well to hold an edge off Jack Wildermuth as the third slip came across in front of him and when Neser's wild slash gave Richardson his third three figures looked unlikely for Queensland.

But Khawaja, who has scored two centuries this season, took charge in what was a strong riposte to Ian Chappell questioning his credentials. In all, he struck 11 boundaries before picking out a long leg searching for another. The last three wickets helped him add 73.

That looked significant when Neser struck the first ball to remove Bancroft and when Gurinder Sandhu produced a good delivery to claim debutant Jayden Goodwin, the son of Murray, the game felt wide open with Marsh also back in the dressing room.

However, Green and Philippe were excellent for the rest of the day. Green's footwork was compact and confident while Philippe was composed against some testing bowling although Queensland lost a little control late in the day which ended with Labuschagne bowling medium pace in Neser's absence.