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Cameron Bancroft fell for a six-ball duck but 22-year-old rising star Jayden Goodwin came to WA's rescue on the opening day of their match against Queensland.

Son-of-a-gun Jayden Goodwin has scored his maiden first-class century to lift Western Australia to 9-287 in their Sheffield Shield match against Queensland at the WACA Ground.

On a day when Cameron Bancroft fell for a six-ball duck, Goodwin (115 off 268 balls) dug in his heels to help guide WA towards a competitive first-innings total.

Sam Whiteman (79) combined with Goodwin to anchor the innings, while Josh Inglis added a handy 47 before WA lost 4-25 late in the day.

WA entered the match third on the ladder and knowing a loss could end their hopes of reaching the Shield final to defend their title.

Goodwin, the son of former Zimbabwe star Murray Goodwin, was the hero of the day, with his brave knock only brought undone when he was bowled by Mark Steketee soon before stumps.

"Credit to Jayden, he batted tremendously," Whiteman said.

"He scored a good 80 the other week (against Tasmania), and he's scored a mountain of runs in club cricket and second XI.

"So it was awesome to see him get the job done in first-class cricket.

"We've gotten to know Jayden pretty well over the last few years, and he just loves batting.

"He probably gets that from his dad. He'll do whatever he can to spend as long as possible at the crease.

"He leaves really well and sticks to his game plan. It was a joy to watch today."

Bancroft fell for a duck in the first over after edging Xavier Bartlett to third slip, but WA were on top following a 128-run stand between Whiteman and Goodwin.

Whiteman's hopes of a century went up in smoke when he charged down the wicket to Mitchell Swepson and was stumped well out of his crease.

Hilton Cartwright fell for a duck two overs later edging Swepson to slip, and WA looked shaky at 4-151 when D'Arcy Short nicked Steketee behind.

Inglis helped Goodwin settle the ship after that.

Goodwin struck 13 fours and one six on the way to reaching his century in 245 balls, and he fell just short of seeing out the day.

Bartlett was the pick of the Queensland bowlers with 5-45, while Steketee and Swepson snared two apiece.

"To get Bangers (Bancroft) out - he's probably the form batsmen of the competition - to see the back of him early was a nice start to the day," Bartlett said.

"I thought the way Sam Whiteman and Jayden Goodwin batted there, they were superb. They put the pressure back on us, so hats off to them."