The stage is set for Queensland's Joe Burns and Usman Khawaja to stake a first Test claim in their day-night Sheffield Shield clash with NSW at the Gabba.
Burns and Khawaja defied Australian quicks Starc (0-26) and Josh Hazlewood (1-13) to survive a tense final hour and steer Queensland to 1-39 at stumps.
NSW had earlier declared their first innings at 7-327 after centuries by Australian captain Steve Smith (117) and Kurtis Patterson (111).
Burns was not out 21 and Khawaja unbeaten on 18 in a boost to their hopes of earning a recall for next week's first Test against South Africa in Perth.
Both were dropped on the recent ill-fated Sri Lankan tour.
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But Blues centurion Patterson predicted returning NSW spearhead Mitchell Starc to make his own statement on day two.
"It's a great sight for us," Patterson said of Starc.
"He will be keen to break that partnership in the morning and making some inroads for us."
Left arm quick Starc missed the recent domestic one-day tournament due to a leg gash requiring up to 30 stitches.
He hit the ground running in Brisbane on Tuesday, thrashing an unbeaten 36 after Bulls quick Luke Feldman (5-68) inspired a NSW collapse of 5-24 under lights with the swinging pink ball.
Starc hit four fours and a six in an unbroken 52-run eighth wicket stand with Ryan Carters (27 not out) before Smith declared.
Starc then came out swinging with the ball in hand but without luck, still ensuring some anxious moments after Hazlewood bowled opener Charlie Hemphrey for a duck.
Earlier, Smith and Patterson had no problem with the pink ball during the day sessions, sharing a 228-run stand after the Blues at one stage lost 2-0.
Smith looked in fine form ahead of the three-Test South Africa series, stroking 18 fours in a knock lasting almost four hours.
However, few NSW batsmen looked comfortable with the swinging pink ball under the Gabba lights.
Australian vice-captain David Warner earlier missed out with the bat for NSW, caught behind for 12.
Warner had hoped for a longer stint at the crease in his only first class game before next week's first Test.
