PERTH, Oct 25 AAP - Western Australia was closing in on England's total at tea on the final day of a two-day cricket tour match at the WACA ground.

In reply to the tourists' 221, the Warriors were 3-199 with Shaun Marsh not out 39 and Marcus North 31.

After resuming at 0-3, Chris Rogers and captain Michael Hussey (48) were rarely troubled in their 103-run opening partnership.

But Hussey was dismissed just before lunch when wicketkeeper Alec Stewart took a fine diving catch to his left off Matthew Hoggard's bowling.

For the most part, the England quicks bowled too short and Rogers and Hussey feasted on any wayward deliveries in their two-hour stand.

Searching for answers against an understrength WA team during the opening session, England captain Nasser Hussain introduced spinner Ashley Giles with the score at 0-73.

But the opening pair was not cracked until Hoggard (1-42) finally got his line and length right to force an edge from Hussey.

Quick Andy Caddick (2-35) lifted the tourists' hopes just after lunch by ending Rogers' industrious knock (57) and removing Murray Goodwin (14) cheaply.

Caddick had Rogers caught behind swiping at a wide ball while Goodwin flashed at another wide delivery and sent it straight to Stephen Harmison at third man.

However, young left-handers North and Marsh steadied the ship for the home team with an unbeaten 61-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

© 2002 AAP

This report does not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Cricket Board.