Someone forgot to tell Queensland quick Ryan Harris he was on a lifeless pitch as he terrorised Tasmania's Test hopeful George Bailey on the opening day of their Sheffield Shield clash in Brisbane.
Test fast bowler Harris (1-91 off 24 overs) bowled with fire but not much luck on a supposedly benign Allan Border Field wicket as a rattled Bailey (34 not out off 46 balls) survived to help guide the Tigers to 2-291 at stumps on day one.
Bailey needed to compose himself after being struck on the left arm by potential Test teammate Harris near stumps.
Former Test opener Ed Cowan was not out on 68 after Jordan Silk (107) and Mark Cosgrove (74) laid a solid platform with a 123-run opening stand.
But all eyes were on Bailey as he looked to stake another Test No.6 claim ahead of this month's Ashes opener at the Gabba.
The stage was set for him to ace the Test audition after the match was switched to the small, batsman-friendly field due to renovations at the Gabba.
The Tigers skipper waited more than five hours before taking the crease - then would have been forgiven for wishing he hadn't.
He received a taste of things to come if he receives his debut baggy green, as workaholic speedster Harris hit top form after recovering from a virus.
Bailey opened his account by lofting the burly paceman to the mid wicket boundary in a shot reminiscent of his one-day heroics for Australia in India.
He then survived a confident lbw shout and top-edged a pull over the slips before being bounced relentlessly by Harris - at one stage earning a warning from the umpire.
Harris had plenty of moral victories but not many wins on the board.
Peter Forrest grassed a chance off the bowler when Silk was 20.
And Silk almost played on at 107.
Harris finally got his man a few balls later after working over the youngster before Silk pulled him to Nathan Reardon at mid wicket, ending a 116-run second wicket stand with Cowan.
Cowan edged Harris through a vacant slip cordon late in the middle session.
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