South Australia 124 (Sangha 45, Couch 4-33, Rocchiccioli 3-10) lead Western Australia 120 (Fanning 49, Scott 3-10, Buckingham 3-35) by four runs

Bowlers feasted as a whopping 20 wickets fell on the opening day of the Sheffield Shield clash between Western Australia and South Australia at the WACA Ground.

Joel Curtis and Ashton Turner were the only other WA players apart from Fanning to make it into double figures.

But Any thoughts of South Australia being able to build a big first-innings lead quickly evaporated, despite the best efforts of Jason Sangha.

Openers Conor McInerney and Henry Hunt weren't able to stick around for an extended period.

Cameron Gannon only took the one scalp, but it was a ripper of a delivery that kicked up and caught the glove of a surprised Sangha.

The match shapes as crucial in the race to reach the March 26-29 final.

South Australia (29.93 points) sit on top of the ladder with three wins and two draws from six games, while WA (23.91 points) sit fourth with two wins and two draws from six outings.