Richardson collects eight scalps in Perth

If Australia need to call on any pace reinforcements for the Test series against India, they may want to turn their attention toward Jhye Richardson.

The WA paceman was the star of the show on the opening day of the maiden JLT Sheffield Shield match at Perth's Optus Stadium, snaring career-best figures of 8-47 in 20.3 overs.

NSW were bowled out for 261, with Kurtis Patterson (107 not out) and Sean Abbott (69 off 89) ensuring the visitors made it past 200.

WA batted for three minutes late in the day, reaching 0-1 at stumps.

The Blues were struggling at 6-131 at tea, with Richardson going to the break with outstanding figures of 5-13 from 13 overs.

Patterson and Abbott combined for a 104-run stand to get NSW back into the contest.

But the day belonged to Richardson, who has already played four ODIs and seven T20s for Australia, and appears destined for a Test call-up in the not-too-distant future.

"I think I bowled quite well today, but I wouldn't say it's my best," Richardson said.

"I actually thought I bowled quite well last week, first innings in Adelaide (where he took 5-47).

"Cricket's a weird game - a bit of it is luck, and a bit of it is bowling well."

NSW were looking solid at 1-67 before Richardson started his wave of destruction.

The 22-year-old snared the scalps of Nick Larkin (39) and Moises Henriques (0) in quick succession before lunch, and he produced a peach of an inswinger to remove Jason Sangha shortly after the break.

Sangha tried to leave the ball, but could only watch on in panic as it swung wildly back in to take the top of middle and leg stump.

Patterson helped steady the ship as NSW moved to 4-130, but Richardson produced another double blow just before tea to put WA back in command

NSW captain Peter Nevill was out for eight after edging a Richardson bouncer, and Jack Edwards was trapped LBW three balls later.

Richardson added tail-enders Trent Copeland, Nathan Lyon, and Harry Conway to his list of victims in the final session.

The Shield match is being used as a crucial trial for the Optus Stadium deck ahead of the second Test between India and Australia, starting on December 14.

The Optus Stadium pitch has performed well in a handful of one-dayers and T20s played at the venue, but it remains to be seen how it will crack up over a four or five-day contest.

Western Australia XI: Hilton Cartwright, William Bosisto, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh (c), Marcus Stoinis, Ashton Turner, Josh Inglis (wk), Ashton Agar, Cameron Green, Jhye Richardson, Matthew Kelly

NSW XI: Daniel Hughes, Nick Larkin, Kurtis Patterson, Moises Henriques, Jason Sangha, Peter Nevill (c/wk), Jack Edwards, Trent Copeland, Sean Abbott, Nathan Lyon, Harry Conway