Paul Wilson made an early breakthrough for the state side

Craig Wishart rescued Zimbabwe from a poor start on the opening day of their game at the WACA Ground.

Wishart made an unbeaten 93 after the tourists had been reduced to 89-5 and hit a six and 17 fours.

He put on 60 with Tatenda Taibu (21) and then shared an unbroken eight wicket stand of 80 with Heath Streak, who was 45 not out at the close.

Pace bowlers Paul Wilson, Jo Angel and Darren Wates each took two wickets for the home side.

Home skipper Mike Hussey opted to put Zimbabwe in after winning the toss and he was rewarded with the early wickets of Dion Ebrahim and Trevor Gripper.

Ebrhaim was caught behind off Wilson for eight and Gripper followed for nine in Wates' fourth over of the day.

Mark Vermeulen batted for an hour an a half to make 38 before he became Wilson's second victim, but only Wishart had the confidence to take the attack to Western Australia.

He is looking for his second hundred of the tour, having made 116 in the opening game against a Rockingham Invitation XI.

"The pleasing thing for us was we were in a bit of trouble and we fought our way through to stumps.

"On that wicket, I thought 254-7 was a very good score," said Zimbabwe coach Geoff Marsh.

Western Australia: M Hussey (capt), C Rogers, M North, S Marsh, S Meuleman, R Campbell, B Casson, D Wates, P Worthington, P Wilson, J Angel.

Zimbabwe: D Ebrahim, T Gripper, M Vermeulen, S Carlisle, C Wishart, C Evans, T Taibu, S Ervine, H Streak (capt),A Blignaut, R Price.