Whiteman century defies Black Caps

Sam Whiteman posted a domineering century as New Zealand's bowling blues continued in a tour game against Western Australia.

Whiteman scored 117 on Saturday, whacking the pink ball all over the WACA Ground as the hosts amassed a total of 345 for the loss of 13 wickets on day one of the two-day practice fixture.

The 'game' is essentially a day-night familiarisation session, with NZ's trundlers having only used the pink ball in a home training camp and 50-over clash in Canberra.

It was agreed pre-match that both sides would bat for one full day.

The sight of Jon Wells being dismissed twice - once at No.13 - suggested NZ fared decently in the glorified training run.

A collapse of 5-21 inflicted with the second new ball under lights was also a big tick.

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Will Bosisto drives during his half-century // Getty

Especially given Trent Boult failed to bowl, the swing specialist likely to be NZ's most dangerous bowler if he's fit enough for the inaugural day-night Test that starts on Friday.

Yet the ease and speed at which an inexperienced XI scored runs would have concerned the Black Caps ahead of their trip to Adelaide.

Tim Southee and Boult, who bowled a combined 99 overs in the second Test, were rested in the first session when the temperature hit 36C in Perth.

Southee came on after 40 overs but was largely ineffectual.

Whiteman slapped five boundaries off Southee's five-over spell, including a magnificent cover drive that brought up his half-century off 61 balls.

"It's a pretty good wicket ... it got better to bat on throughout the day," Whiteman said.

NZ are expected to name an unchanged attack of Southee, Boult, Doug Bracewell, Matt Henry and Mark Craig for the three-Test series finale.

However, Neil Wagner added five wickets to his case for a Test recall.

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Neil Wagner impressed with five wickets // Getty

Wagner, called into NZ's squad as cover after the first Test, removed Marcus Harris and Wells in his first spell.

"I'd class him as pretty skiddy. He's on to you a bit quicker than you think, sort of hustle and bustle and gets in your face a little bit," Whiteman said.

"He's a good bowler.

"Southee bowled a pretty good spell to me early on, got me on the gloves a few times.

"They were definitely the pick of the bowlers."

Mark Craig finished with figures of 1-65 from 17 overs.

The much-maligned offspinner continued to be attacked, Whiteman bringing up his ton off 123 balls with a six back over Craig's head.

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Black Caps spinner Mitchell Santner // Getty

Mitchell Santner grabbed four wickets but the left-arm tweaker struggled for control and is unlikely to be called up to the Test side.

Whiteman was eventually bowled by Bracewell.

The keeper shared a 99-run stand with Will Bosisto, the pair guiding WA to 4-237 before the wickets started to tumble more regularly when the sun went down.