Anderson leads improved England attack in tour match

PERTH, Australia, Dec 9 (Reuters) Paceman James Anderson was the pick of England's bowlers on the first day of a tour match against Western Australia today with three for 47 in the home side's 309 for eight at the close.

The tourists' attack gave a solid display less than a week away from the third Ashes test against Australia at the same venue with off spinner Monty Panesar and paceman Sajid Mahmood boosting their chances of selection.

Mahmood took two for 61 while Panesar deserved more than his sole success and strike bowler Steve Harmison gave the impression he might be close to hitting top form in the two-day contest.

After a tough morning session where the home side eased to lunch at 95-1, England gradually pegged them back.

Anderson found some early swing and Mahmood removed Shaun Marsh (59) and acting captain Marcus North (18) in the middle session with edged inswingers.

Panesar (1-69) extracted some turn and bowled well in his bid to win selection over rival Ashley Giles, capturing the wicket of the dangerous Luke Ronchi caught at slip off a lovely leg break for three.

But perhaps the most encouraging news for England came when Harmison gave the impression he might have turned the corner after a shocking start to the tour.

The lanky paceman, who managed only one wicket for 288 runs in the first two tests, bowled a great spell in the last session and had Adam Voges (31) leg before to a delivery which jagged back to the Australia squad's newest recruit.

When Panesar darted in from mid-wicket to run out Aaron Heal (28), after a 55-run stand with Luke Pomersbach, it completed a good day for the England fringe players, as wicketkeeper Chris Read also took three catches in his quest to replace Geraint Jones behind the stumps.

For the home side, opener Chris Rogers made a fluent 66, while Pomersbach finished on 90 not out to take Western Australia past the 300 mark.

Harmison (1-99) was expensive before lunch, but also had his share of misfortune as Giles dropped Rogers off his bowling, and he also nearly bowled Marsh with an inside edge which went for four.

England captain Andrew Flintoff is being rested for the match while his predecessor Michael Vaughan continues his rehabilitation after knee surgery by playing in his third comeback match.

Australia lead the five-match series 2-0 after wins in Brisbane and Adelaide. They need only one more win to reclaim the Ashes.

Reuters SAM GC1535