Young Test paceman James Pattinson made an impressive start to the new first-class season on the opening day of the Sheffield Shield clash with Western Australia at the WACA Ground.

Pattinson claimed two wickets in the first session as the Bushrangers vindicated captain Andrew McDonald’s decision to bowl first on a green wicket.

At lunch on the first day, the home side was in deep trouble at 5-84, having also lost their season-opening Shield match to New South Wales a fortnight ago.

Veteran Adam Voges was on 31, with Tom Triffitt yet to score.

Pattinson, 22, has already had plenty of injuries in the early stages of his career, but he looked in good condition when taking the new ball for the Bushrangers.

He struck with his very first ball of the new campaign, clean bowling opener Liam Davis for a golden duck.

Pattinson then claimed the crucial wicket of talented young allrounder Mitchell Marsh with the last ball before lunch.

Marsh tried to fend off a rising delivery just outside his off stump, but got an edge through to wicketkeeper Peter Handscomb, leaving Pattinson with 2-13.

The WA batsmen struggled throughout the session, with a number of confident appeals turned down and one catch dropped.

Test speedster Peter Siddle had 1-12 and had a tough chance put down by Handscomb.