Western Australia have made a horror start to their second innings on day three of the Sheffield Shield match at the WACA Ground, despite holding a 163-run first-innings lead over South Australia.

WA lost openers Liam Davis and Marcus Harris, both without scoring, and then former captain Marcus North for one to suddenly be 3-3 with Joe Mennie and Chadd Sayers bowling an outstanding opening spell on Wednesday for the Redbacks.

The Warriors somewhat steadied to 3-21 but then captain Adam Voges fell for three just before lunch to the bowling of Johan Botha. At lunch, WA were 4-21 with Sam Whiteman on 13 and Mitch Marsh yet to score.

Despite the tough start, the Warriors remain in control of the match with a 184-run lead and six wickets in hand as they search for their first Shield victory of the season after three straight outright losses.

Earlier, South Australia only managed a further 28 runs in the morning session.

Wicketkeeper Tim Ludeman was the first to fall in the second over of the day for six when Tom Triffitt took his fifth catch of the innings behind the stumps off Nathan Coulter-Nile.

Captain Johan Botha then played a loose shot when he attempted a booming cover drive off the left-arm orthodox spin of Michael Beer to edge to slip where Adam Voges took a sharp catch.

Sayers fell for six off the bowling of Michael Hogan and Mennie was the last wicket of the innings when he was out for 18 after playing some big shots. Mitchell Johnson had him caught at slip also by Voges to end South Australia’s innings on 237.

Johnson, Hogan, Mitch Marsh and Beer claimed two wickets apiece in a solid bowling performance from WA.