It was Marsh's highest first-class score

Shaun Marsh, the 19-year-old son of Test star Geoff, hit 92 as England had another unimpressive day at the WACA.

With a two-innings match scheduled over just two days, a result was never going to be possible, but Western Australia were much the stronger team throughout.

When play ended the hosts were cruising along at 313 for six in their first innings having dismissed England for just 221 the previous day.

Most of England's specialist batsmen had failed to reach double figures, and their bowlers toiled in similar fashion on a dry, bouncy surface.

Andrew Caddick and Matthew Hoggard each took two wickets, while Ashley Giles and Steve Harmison managed just one apiece.

Their hosts raced to 115-1 by lunch, Hoggard taking the only wicket, and went into tea on 199-3.

And there was further bad news for the tourists when Marcus Trescothick left the field with an injured shoulder.

Chris Rogers and Michael Hussey had got off to a confident start as their side began the day on three without loss.

But, with the score on 103 and Hussey just two runs short of his half-century, Hoggard finally struck for England.

Matthew Hoggard has not had things his way

Hussey attempted to drive off the front foot but was superbly caught behind the wicket by Stewart diving to his left.

His departure brought Zimbabwean Murray Goodwin to the crease and he and Rogers added a further 12 runs before the lunch interval.

Caddick then struck straight after lunch, having Rogers (57) caught behind by James Foster without a run being added.

Foster had exchanged wicket-keeping duties with Stewart.

Goodwin (14) then became Caddick's second victim when he top-edged a pull into the hands of Harmison at deep fine leg.

But the young left-handers Marsh and Michael North then comfortably added 88 in 27 overs to take WA beyond England's lowly score.

North was finally out when turning Ashley Giles to short leg, before the expensive Harmison finally ended Marsh's innings.

Having never hit a first-class half-century, Marsh was just eight runs short of his maiden century when he edged a drive to Mark Butcher in the slips.

The final wicket came when Hoggard removed Kade Harvey in similar fashion.

Luke Ronchi smashed an unbeaten 34 off just 24 balls before the captains agreed to end the day's play early.

The teams meet again on Monday for the start of a three-day match.

England
N Hussain (capt), A J Stewart (wkt), M E Trescothick, R W T Key, M A Butcher, J P Crawley, J S Foster, A F Giles, A R Caddick, M J Hoggard, S J Harmison

Western Australia
M E K Hussey (capt), L Ronchi (wkt), P Wilson, M W Clark, M W Goodwin, K M Harvey, S E Marsh, S W Meuleman, M J North, C J L Rogers, C D Thorp, B Casson