October 29 Tuesday 2002
Caddick inspires England as tourists lift their game

PERTH: Big fast bowler Andy Caddick inspired England to their best Australian tour performance so far on the opening day of the three-day clash with Western Australia at the WACA Ground here Monday.

New Zealand-born Caddick, 34 in three weeks, snatched a well-earned 4-49 from 19.5 overs to provide the spark which enabled his side to dismiss the state team for a first innings 213 after skipper Nasser Hussain had sent them in after winning the toss.

England replied with 54 without loss to stumps with Marcus Trescothick unbeaten on 21 and Robert Key 33 not out. With the first Test against Australia in the Ashes series only 10 days away, the Englishmen were a transformed combination after the woeful form displayed in two earlier games which produced a crushing one-day defeat and a lacklustre two-day draw. They bowled, fielded, caught and batted with flair not seen on the three earlier days. Young England pace hope Steve Harmison fought back from his nightmare start to the tour to capture two excellent wickets with an 11-over spell which suggested he could yet be an important weapon in England's bid to win the Ashes after seven successive series thumpings.

"Today we played by far our best cricket since we arrived," the towering 24-year-old from Durham said.

"We got wickets by pressuring them. We attacked them and it was good to watch." In the opening game, at Lilac Hill Park, Caversham, Harmison sent down 16 wides, eight of them in one amazing over. "Today was certainly a little improvement by me compared with Lilac Hill. It was definitely better than last week," he said. "Andy Caddick was brilliant today -- the pick of our attack and brilliant to bowl with. "What all our team needs is confidence, and once we get that we will do alright.

"I didn't really expect to play today after the way I bowled the other day. I hope I can bowl even better and press for selection for first Test. "Nasser Hussain and the whole team have been very supportive."

Revelling in the cool, overcast and sometimes showery conditions, Caddick displayed the pace bowling leadership he will need to provide when the first Test gets under way in Brisbane Thursday week.

He secured a highly significant victory for the tourists early in the day when he ousted little Justin Langer, the accomplished left-hander who will face the new ball in partnership with Matthew Hayden at the 'Gabba.

Langer (13) was superbly caught at short leg by John Crawley on a day when every chance to hand was held. Generating lively pace and maintaining an accurate line, Caddick followed up quickly with the scalps of Chris Rogers (7) and Michael Hussey (0) to have a wonderful 3-16 in his 13th over.

Rogers made a century in each innings in his previous Sheffield Shield appearance, while Hussey has tamed the best attacks in the English county competition while playing for Northamptonshire.

Caddick snared his fourth wicket late in the innings when he removed Jo Angel (four). Left-arm spinner Ashley Giles also had a valuable workout, finishing with 3-42 from 11 overs. Western Australia were saved from complete collapse by left-hander Marcus North, who hit 71, with eight fours and a six.