PERTH, Nov 14 AAP - Victorian cricket captain Shane Warne may feel he spoke a little too soon.

The Australian spin wizard said yesterday it could be the Bushrangers' season to break its 12-year drought in the Pura Cup competition.

But he would probably reconsider his words after watching Western Australia hammer his side on a boiling opening day at the WACA ground.

The Warriors had already claimed first innings points to be 3-134 at stumps in reply to Victoria's first innings score of 110.

Damien Martyn and Ryan Campbell were both unbeaten on 23.

But it only gets worse for the visitors with dashing Warriors captain Adam Gilchrist still to bat tomorrow.

Opener Michael Hussey guided the home side to 50 off just 42 balls before partner Justin Langer (10) was caught behind chasing a wide ball from Michael Lewis.

Warne introduced himself with the score at 1-74 off 17 overs and it took the master leg spinner just eight balls to dismiss Chris Rogers (12).

WA safely negotiated within five runs of the Bushrangers' tally before promising all-rounder Cameron White removed Hussey (56) with his third delivery.

Campbell was fortunate to still be there after being dropped at first slip by Warne and almost being run out by Brad Hodge at cover in the third last over on 17.

Evergreen West Australian quick Jo Angel (4-29) and young left-arm seamer Michael Clark (4-33) earlier led a much-improved display from the Warriors' pace quartet.

The Bushrangers' batting lineup was easily cracked through consistent line and length and a couple of questionable hometown rulings.

The competition leaders lasted only 51.5 overs and 216 minutes in very warm conditions after Warne opted to bat on a track which had a few noticeable cracks before the first delivery.

Opening bowlers Matthew Nicholson and Paul Wilson (2-18) set the tone early, restricting the scoring rate to a trickle.

Wilson removed opener Jon Moss (4) after he padded up to a ball which appeared to be going well over the stumps.

The 34-year-old Angel dismissed Klinger (4) and then Hodge (11) just before lunch after the gifted right-hander played a lazy shot off the back foot and was caught behind.

Clark trapped former NSW batsman Graeme Rummans (1) in front to close the visitors' wretched first session at 4-47.

But the Warriors' disciplined bowling effort was sustained after the break with Wilson ending opener Jason Arnberger's (28) 137-minute knock.

White (13) became the second unlucky victim of the umpires, with Clark's delivery crashing high onto his front pad.

Angel then put a stop to Darren Berry's (8) scratchy knock before taking a fine return catch low down to remove Warne (25).

Clark cleaned up the tail removing Lewis (5) and bowling Will Carr (0) first ball to be on a hat-trick next innings.

Gilchrist celebrated his 31st birthday by taking four catches while national teammate Langer spent a short time off the field with a stomach complaint.

© 2002 AAP

This report does not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Cricket Board.