Nasser Hussain hit the first century of the Ashes tour today to help his side deliver a statement of intent for the forthcoming Test series by building a commanding total against Western Australia.
The England captain scored 117 and guided the tourists to an impressive 327 having already dismissed a strong WA line-up which included Australian Test batsman Justin Langer for a lowly 213.
Just nine overs after Alec Stewart departed, Hussain fell for 117.
Pushing forward to Matt Nicholson, Hussain edged behind for wicketkeeper Ryan Campbell to take a diving catch.
Ashley Giles fell to the next delivery when he was trapped leg before with a full length delivery.
Andrew Caddick successfully defended the hat-trick ball, leaving the tourists all out for 327-7.
Hussain's efforts continued England's revival after disappointing performances in the opening game and the next against a WA second string.
Resuming on 54 without loss after Robert Key and Marcus Trescothick enjoyed a boundary spree during the nine overs under lights last night, England had hoped for another positive start to send a message to the Australians before the First Test.
Key raced to an unbeaten 33 overnight, but had failed to add to his score when Brad Williams caught him in the gully.
Trescothick had also restarted his innings cautiously but he also fell pushing forward to Nicholson and edging to Mike Hussey at third slip.
The loss of those two wickets could have allowed WA back into the match, but instead Mark Butcher played his first significant innings of the tour and combined with Hussain in an important 59-run partnership.
Surrey left-hander Butcher hit 29 before given out lbw to Jo Angel before lunch.
John Crawley hit a promising 45, but dragged bowler Stuart Karppinen onto his stumps.
Later, Caddick then made an early breakthrough by getting out Meuleman out lbw for 1. Western Australia closed on 16-1.
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