BBC SPORT | Cricket | The Ashes | Hussain fires England effort

Tour match, Perth, day two of three (stumps): Western Australia 213 & 16-1; England 327

England enjoyed another excellent day at the WACA to take something of a stranglehold in the match with victory on Wednesday now a possibility for the tourists.

Their state opposition, however, will largely be battling for survival after a Nasser Hussain century and a wicket for Andy Caddick just before stumps put WA on the back foot.

After bowling out the home side for just 213 on Monday, England responded with a mature batting effort on Tuesday.

They started the day on 54 without loss and lost Robert Key early on with the Kent batsman failing to add to his overnight 33.

In pictures - Day two

But a series of telling stands followed, with every senior batsman getting a start, and Hussain going on to post a big score.

It was Aussie international Brad Williams who removed Key, caught in the gully.

John Crawley hit six fours in his innings

Later in the morning session, Marcus Trescothick, on 46, edged Matt Nicholson to Mike Hussey at third slip.

But England began to break free when Hussain and Mark Butcher added 59 for the third wicket.

Butcher finally fell lbw to Jo Angel, playing no stroke, just before lunch.

The Surrey number three had been in desperate need of runs and his 29 will at least put him on the path to confidence.

Hussain and John Crawley then had the most productive partnership of the lot by adding 79.

Their stand came to an end when Crawley attempted an ambitious back-foot drive against Stuart Karpinnen to be bowled off the inside edge for 45.

Hussain and Alec Stewart (29) added quick runs either side of tea, and the England captain reached his century with a clever steer through gully for four off Williams.

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The second new ball, however, worked wonders for WA as England then slumped from 288-4 to 327 all out.

Nicholson ended with six for 79, including the last five wickets to fall.

WA then had a tricky seven overs of batting, and lost opener Scott Meuleman when he played across the line to Caddick to be trapped lbw for one.

England: Nasser Hussain (captain), Robert Key, Marcus Trescothick, Mark Butcher, John Crawley, Alec Stewart, Craig White, Ashley Giles, Andrew Caddick, Simon Jones, Stephen Harmison.

Western Australia: Justin Langer (captain), Mike Hussey, Jo Angel, Ryan Campbell, Brad Hogg, Stuart Karppinen, Scott Meuleman, Matthew Nicholson, Marcus North, Chris Rogers, Brad Williams.


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