The wicket looked for all money like one to suit the quicks, prompting WA captain Mitch Marsh to send the Redbacks in after winning the toss. And it paid dividends.

The visitors started well having posted 60 without loss and still looked okay at 2-98 before the rot set in as they lost their last eight wickets for 61 runs to be all out 159.

Then it was WA's turn to struggle.

Sam Whiteman was caught behind for 12, Cameron Bancroft was run out for 11 and Marsh fell soon after for 17 to a terrific Joe Mennie run out, while Josh Inglis could only manage 17.

At stumps, Hilton Cartwright and nightwatchman Matt Kelly were both not out four with the home side 4-75.

The solid start by SA openers Jake Weatherald and Connor McInerney was surprisingly ended by the part-time medium pace of Cartwright who also picked up Jake Lehmann in his lone over of the innings. The pair are his his only wickets this Shield season.

But Weatherald and Travis Head steadied the Redbacks until the skipper fell for 29. That sparked a dramatic collapse with McInerney falling for 43 and seven others following in rapid succession.

Left-arm quick Liam Guthrie starred for WA with 4-53 to go with a sharp catch and run out to get rid of Nick Winter.

"It was just a good team effort with the ball between myself and the other three quicks," he said.

"We just hopefully can build on it tomorrow now. We are 4-75 so hopefully we get a few more runs on the board to build a lead after getting them out for a decent score."

The scalp of Marsh was Redbacks debutant Luke Robins' first in first class cricket.

Australian Associated Press