Veteran Queensland seamer Cameron Gannon has collected a five-wicket haul to stifle reigning Sheffield Shield champions South Australia.

With Gannon taking 5 for 42, SA were bowled out for 203 on Monday's opening day at Adelaide Oval.

Queensland reached 63 for 2 at stumps with Hugo Burdon unbeaten on 39.

The 37-year-old Gannon, who has returned to Queensland after six seasons with Western Australia, was superb in his 19-over stint, striking early to leave SA wobbling at 39 for 3.

But SA stalwart Jake Lehmann and skipper Nathan McSweeney posted gusty half-centuries, featuring in an innings-high 93-run partnership.

Lehmann followed his 90 in SA's opening win of their Shield campaign against Victoria last week with a neat 62 from 113 balls.

And skipper McSweeney, back from the Australia A tour of India, made 54 from 150 balls in tricky batting conditions.

The pair reclaimed some control for the South Australians before Lehmann gloved a searing short ball from Xavier Bartlett (2-36 from 14 overs) and was spectacularly caught by wicketkeeper Jimmy Peirson, diving to his right.

McSweeney then lost a succession of partners including Ben Manenti, who smacked five fours in making 22 from 25 balls.

The SA skipper was the ninth wicket to fall in an innings opened by Test discard Jake Weatherald, who raced to 31 from only 25 deliveries before being adjudged lbw to Bartlett.

Queensland's innings wobbled early, losing openers Hugh Weibgen (nine) and Angus Lovell (four) inside 10 overs to paceman Nathan McAndrew (1-34) and Brendan Doggett (1-13).

But first-drop Burdon hit five fours in his 66 balls to ensure the Queenslanders took first-day honours.