PERTH, Oct 29 AAP - Captain Nasser Hussain was guiding England towards a sizeable total at tea on the second day of a three-day cricket tour match against Western Australia at the WACA ground today.

In reply to Western Australia's first innings total of 213, the tourists were 4-243 with Hussain (88no) and Alec Stewart (0no) at the crease.

Hussain played a fine hand on an increasingly lifeless pitch with some impressive cover drives in his unbeaten 162-ball knock which included 15 fours.

Earlier today opener Robert Key (33), who looked dangerous last night as the tourists cruised to 0-54 at stumps, didn't add to his score being caught by Matthew Nicholson in the gully off Brad Williams' bowling.

Left-handed opening partner Marcus Trescothick (46) also looked in fine touch but flashed at a wide ball from Nicholson and was well caught in slips by Michael Hussey.

Mark Butcher (29) and Hussain then put on a 59-run third wicket partnership before Butcher's luck ran out.

The Surrey left-hander lived dangerously, surviving a difficult caught and bowled opportunity by Brad Hogg on 27, before being dismissed after padding up to WA quick Jo Angel just before the interval.

Hussain and John Crawley (45) then overhauled the WA first innings total before Crawley chopped a wide ball from Stuart Karppinen back onto his stumps.

The 31-year-old Hampshire batsman had looked unconvincing in his 105-minute stay before playing well away from his body and edging the ball onto his wicket.

Big Jo Angel had the best figures for the home team with 1-27 off 13 overs.

© 2002 AAP

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