PERTH (Australia), Dec 9: Several fringe English players put up their hands for Test selection on the opening day of the tour match against Western Australia at the WACA Ground here on Friday, one of the tourists' best days in a previously forgettable tour.

At stumps, the home side was 8-309 after winning the toss and electing to bat, with rookie WA batsman Luke Pomersbach providing a late flourish and unbeaten on 90, but the story of the first day was a much-improved showing from the English attack.

Spinner Monty Panesar again impressed, seamers James Anderson and Sajid Mahmood were amongst the wickets.

Wicket-keeper Chris Read took three catches in a polished performance, including one superb effort to remove WA opener Chris Rogers.

Panesar had Luke Ronchi, who had made 89 off 49 balls in the Lilac Hill match just 24 hours earlier, caught at slip by Andrew Strauss for just three. Giles claimed 0-33 from eight overs.

Anderson boosted his chances of retaining his spot in the Test side with a fine display of fast swing bowling and picked up 3-47, while Mahmood claimed 2-61.

Harmison didn't have much early luck, but bounced back late in the day to indicate his fortunes may finally have turned, despite returning modest figures of 1-99.—AFP