A wicket on the last ball before lunch had New South Wales struggling at 2-60 on Friday on day one of their Sheffield Shield clash with Western Australia at the WACA Ground.

Paceman Michael Hogan (1-25) knocked over Test hopeful Usman Khawaja for 15 to finish the session in the best possible fashion after the visitors won the toss and elected to bat on a greenish wicket.

Earlier, Nathan Coulter-Nile (1-6) trapped returning allrounder Shane Watson lbw for 21 in the 17th over.

In a blow to the Warriors, captain Marcus North left the field shortly before lunch after injuring a finger when he dropped Khawaja from a tough chance in the gully.

Phil Hughes has compiled a controlled innings to be 23 not out with just one boundary from 97 balls.

Out-of-form Test wicketkeeper Brad Haddin is lining up for the Blues, with NSW’s leading run-scorer Peter Nevill having to make way.