Paceman Michael Hogan’s heroics ensured Western Australia took opening-day honours against South Australia in the Sheffield Shield match in Adelaide.

Hogan claimed three pivotal wickets to help restrict SA to 7-237 at stumps on Thursday.

Hogan ended the two most threatening SA partnerships and collected the prized scalps of Michael Klinger (13) and the in-form Callum Ferguson, who top-scored with 63.

An early slide left the home side wobbly at 3-56 but Ferguson combined with 19-year-old Travis Head for a steadying 57-run stand.

Just as the duo appeared set to cash in on their ascendancy, Hogan returned for another spell and promptly dismissed Head for 28.

Ferguson again went about restoring SA’s innings with allrounder Jake Brown and the pair notched a 90-run union for the fifth wicket.

But Hogan, a 31-year-old who only made his first-class debut three years ago, again returned and broke the partnership by bowling Ferguson with a ripping off-cutter.

Hogan has signed with English county Glamorgan on a two-year deal but, as a British passport holder, the contract means he has to halt playing domestic cricket in Australia – and WA coach Justin Langer tried to change Hogan’s mind.

“It’s nice to feel wanted,” Hogan said.

“But the decision is made … unfortunately that is just the way it is.”

Hogan said he would spend half the year in England and the other half in his home town of Newcastle in NSW to enable his family there to spend more time with his 10-month-old boy.

Hogan’s dismissal of Ferguson started another SA slide of 3-19, with spinner Ashton Agar and Mitchell Marsh also achieving success.

Marsh dismissed Brown for a well-compiled 55, his second consecutive half-century since winning a recall to first-class ranks after a four-year absence.

Agar, who last month had a stint in India as a net bowler for Australia’s Test squad, finished the day with 2-63 from 22 tidy overs while Nathan Coulter-Nile also claimed a wicket.