South Australia 190 for 2 (Hunt 104*, Wildermuth 1-40) against Queensland

South Australia opener Henry Hunt has defied the Gabba gloom and Queensland's pace attack to send a three-figure reminder to Australia's selectors.

Hunt was unbeaten on 104 on Monday night, taking South Australia to 190 for 2 after a rain-shortened first day of their Sheffield Shield clash in Brisbane.

The 26-year-old survived and then flourished after lunch to bring up his eighth first-class century in the shadows of stumps, off 236 balls.

It was Hunt's first Shield score of substance this season, ending a first-class century drought that stretched back to Australia A's tour of Sri Lanka in June last year.

The opener's patient knock came once the hosts, after a two-hour rain delay, opted to bowl in what appeared ideal conditions for the Bulls' quicks.

The ball beat the bat regularly but Hunt, arguably the forgotten man behind Marcus Harris, Cameron Bancroft and Matt Renshaw in the race to replace retiring Test opener David Warner, held his nerve.

"I don't think people lose it overnight," Hunt said of his return to form. "You've got to trust the process and it was nice to make it count today.

"You've just got to keep the faith, keep riding the highs and lows.

"(Cricket) is a big leveller ... you could come out tomorrow and nick the first ball."

Despite 13 boundaries, the big feature of Hunt's knock were the quick singles that released pressure as the Bulls' pace battery hammered away on a slow wicket.

That determined running twice almost brought him undone with his century in sight but Queensland couldn't take their chances, with batting partner Nathan McSweeney diving to make his ground for the single that brought up Hunt's milestone.

Hunt and Jake Carder (37 off 115) were circumspect as they survived the first session. Michael Neser went for just six runs in his first nine overs and finished with figures of 0 for 25 from 14 overs.

Gurinder Sandhu finally found Carder's edge after lunch and Jack Wildermuth pinned Daniel Drew in front soon after.

But McSweeney (33 not out) joined Hunt to keep the hosts at bay under lights in an unbroken 90-run stand, despite a probing spell from legspinner Mitchell Swepson.

"He held their top order together beautifully," Swepson said of Hunt. "He'd be happy with how well he left the ball today and waited for us to come to him.

"Only the two wickets but we felt we bowled really well."