As an Ashes slot opens up, Joe Burns has top-scored amid a horror Queensland batting collapse against South Australia in their Sheffield Shield clash.

Burns made 48 as the Bulls crashed to 152 all out, with the Redbacks 2-89 in reply at stumps on Friday's opening day at Adelaide Oval.

The Queenslanders were cruising at 1-78 but then lost 7-54 as SA quick Daniel Worrall (4-49 from 17 overs) ripped through the middle and lower order.

SA recruits Brendan Doggett (3-25) and Nathan McAndrew (2-31) made instant impacts, sharing the initial four wickets to fall.

Worrall then took four consecutive wickets on a green-tinged pitch.

Burns' innings took added significance in the wake of the latest concussion scare to Will Pucovski all but ruling him out of contention to open with David Warner for Australia in the looming Test series against England.

Burns, who was dropped from the Test side after the Boxing Day Test against India last year, weathered the testing conditions and was 46 not out at lunch.

But he fell early in the middle session when he inside-edged a Doggett delivery to wicketkeeper Alex Carey, ending a 99-ball knock featuring six fours.

Doggett, who joined SA from Queensland in the off-season, trapped Marnus Labuschagne (eight) leg before wicket.

The Test star's dismissal triggered a slide for the visitors with only Burns, Bryce Street (22), Jimmy Peirson (16), Usman Khawaja (13) and Mark Stetekee (17) reaching double figures.

Steketee then made two strikes with the ball, bowling Jake Carder (one) and having Nathan McSweeney (22) caught at slip.

SA skipper Travis Head, who thrashed 230 off the Bulls in a one-dayer on Wednesday, is unbeaten on 28 with opener Henry Hunt not out 37.