Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott struck centuries but England still couldn’t take first-innings honours in their three-day tour match against a WACA Chairman’s XI in Perth.

In reply to the WACA’s 5-451 declared, England were cruising at 2-330 on a batting-friendly pitch before Bell’s retirement on 115 sparked a massive crumble.

England lost 7-61 to be all out for 391, but paceman Boyd Rankin claimed two quick wickets to leave the home side at 2-80 in their second innings.

Mitch Marsh, who scored 58 on Thursday, is unbeaten on 34, while first-innings centurion Chris Lynn is on 23.

England could have caused more damage, but Joe Root, Rankin and Gary Ballance all dropped catches.

Bell cracked 19 fours and two sixes in his knock, while Trott spent almost six hours at the crease in his unbeaten 113 off 236 balls.

But England selectors would still be pondering who to pick at No.6 for the Ashes series after Ballance (0) and Ben Stokes (4) failed badly in their auditions.

Ballance fell for a golden duck after edging paceman Ryan Duffield behind, before medium-pacer James Allenby found the edge of Stokes.

Opener Michael Carberry, who scored 78 on Friday, might end up being England’s answer at No.6, but Stokes, Ballance and Jonny Bairstow will be aiming to push their case if they get selected in next week’s tour game against Australia A in Hobart.

England’s lower order failed to put up much fight as Allenby (4-58), left-armer Duffield (2-96) and spinner Michael Beer (2-87) cleaned up .