England enjoyed the better of the first day of their warm-up match with Western Australia at the WACA with much their best performance of the tour so far. After dismissing the hosts for 213, with Andrew Caddick taking four wickets, England had raced to 54 without loss in just nine overs by stumps.

After winning the toss this morning, Nasser Hussain decided to bowl first and his decision was justified almost immediately. In between several showers early on, Caddick was the star performer, although there were also encouraging showings from the young speedsters Simon Jones and Steve Harmison.

Caddick made the first breakthrough after a 45-minute rain delay, as Test opener Justin Langer pushed forward and got an inside edge, which was smartly held by John Crawley moving to his left at short leg. Shortly after lunch Chris Rogers also fell to Caddick, edging behind to wicket-keeper Alec Stewart.

Wickets then clattered as Harmison accounted for the other opener, Scott Meuleman, who was also caught behind as he tried to clip off his hip. Mike Hussey then edged Caddick low to Marcus Trescothick at third slip as he pushed defensively forward.

Wicket-keeper Ryan Campbell responded to the crisis aggressively, making 37 off only 44 balls, and adding 66 runs with Marcus North in just 17 overs before he hooked Harmison straight to Caddick in the deep. Brad Hogg followed nine overs later, lbw trying to sweep Ashley Giles. North was eventually left unbeaten on 71 (one six, eight fours) as the rest of the batting tamely surrendered.

With an hour remaining under floodlights, Trescothick and Robert Key opened England's innings with panache. Key struck Test hopeful Brad Williams for four boundaries, finishing unbeaten on 33 from only 30 balls. Trescothick had reached 21 when play ended early after 38 minutes.

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