On the back of winning the one-day domestic competition, Victoria captain Peter Handscomb won the toss and decided to bowl first.

It was a WACA deck tinged with green and it quickly appeared the right decision with three quick wickets from Scott Boland helping to leave WA struggling at 4-42.

A quickfire 41 from Josh Philippe and then a WA career-best 80 from Marcus Stoinis helped the home team reach 208.

But it proved a below par score as Victoria moved to 3-153 by stumps with Will Pucovski not out 64 and Cameron White 14.

Chris Tremain finished with 4-37 and Boland 3-72.

Victoria did lose Travis Dean (6), Marcus Harris (26) and Peter Handscomb (27) in the final session, but they are in a good place after the first day nearing a first innings lead.

Tremain said he was happy to take advantage of the wicket when it was likely at its best for bowlers.

"In the way of swing and seam they were probably the best conditions but I don't think it's going to crack up and it will hold together really well and you'll be able to use pace and bounce the whole game," Tremain said.

"It's always important to get any sort of lead and we start the game again tomorrow basically. The wicket will have a little bit in it as it always does in the first hour and have to reset, readjust and go again.

"If we can get to their total still three down then you're really licking your lips. Hopefully we can do that and it is a great plan, but all plans are pretty good in theory."

Leg-spinner Usman Qadir is now on debut for WA having replaced Matt Kelly on the concussion rule.

Kelly was struck while batting by a Tremain bouncer.

Australian Associated Press