Fielding the same line-up which is expected to feature in the first Test against Australia at the Gabba on Thursday, the tourists had hoped to continue the form they displayed against Western Australia in Perth last week.

But despite the return of Andrew Flintoff and Michael Vaughan, both of whom were making their first appearances of the tour, England struggled to make any headway against one of the stronger sides in Australian state cricket.

After Queensland won the toss and decided to bat, only Andrew Caddick demonstrated any control or penetration during the opening session and dismissed openers Jimmy Maher and Brendan Nash after they had forged a 60-run opening stand.

England, though, were only able to celebrate two more breakthroughs for the remainder of the day, with Martin Love using the experience gained from two successful seasons with Durham to hit an unbeaten 124 and guide Queensland to a daunting 333 for four by the close of the opening day.

Love hit 16 boundaries during his unbeaten hundred and dominated England's attack, most of whom struggled to make any impact and were wayward with both line and length on a pitch ideal for batting.

Yorkshire seamer Matthew Hoggard, rested for the match at the WACA, conceded 27 runs from his opening five overs while Caddick provided a contrast at the other end with his first six overs costing only eight runs before a switch in ends earned England the breakthrough.

Nash attempted to break out of Caddick's shackles by cutting fiercely but was brilliantly caught by Marcus Trescothick diving in the gully and Maher, who had progressed to 41 from only 46 balls including six boundaries, fell in Caddick's next over when he failed to spot a rising delivery and guided it straight to Mark Butcher at third slip.

They were their only successes for a further 36 overs, however, with Stuart Law and Love forging a 133-run partnership which was only broken once Flintoff returned to the attack for a second spell in mid-afternoon.

Law had progressed to 68 off 114 balls when he attempted another front foot drive but this time got an inside edge onto his pad and the ball looped up to give Flintoff a simple return catch.

It was another 27 overs before Flintoff struck again to remove Andrew Symonds, who attempted to cut a rising delivery but instead edged behind to wicketkeeper Alec Stewart with 11 overs of the day remaining.