Tasmania are in the box seat to book a berth in the final of the one day cup after dismissing Queensland for 177.

The Bulls' innings never reached any great heights and they were dismissed in the 45th over of the first semi-final at Drummoyne Oval on Saturday.

While several Queensland batsmen got starts, paceman Mark Stekete top scored with just 30 as the Bulls struggled on a tricky wicket at the suburban Sydney ground.

Paceman Gabe Bell, playing his first domestic 50-over match, provided the early breakthrough, snaring openers Max Bryant (11) and Sam Heazlett (22) cheaply.

And when dangerman Chris Lynn (15) edged Jackson Bird through to keeper Matthew Wade, the Queenslanders had lost two wickets in the space of six balls to be 3-50.

Paceman Bird, who could consider himself unlucky not to be in the UAE as part of the Australian Test squad to face Pakistan, took 2-41 while Gurinder Sandhu was economical, finishing with 2-14 from his nine overs.

When Skipper Jimmy Pierson was trapped lbw by a Tom Rogers delivery which stayed low with his side at 6-131, it marked the end of the Bulls' recognised batsmen.

The winner will face the winner of Sunday's semi-final between Western Australia and Victoria.