CHRIS Tremlett trod a tortuous path back into Test cricket, but he took his chance yesterday as England took another giant stride towards retaining the Ashes.

The 6ft 8in seamer bagged recalled Australia opener Phil Hughes in his first over to get England up and running in the third Test at Perth.

Doubtless thankful for first use of a green pitch, Tremlett (three for 63) and James Anderson (three for 61) soon had Australia in familiar trouble.

Three half-centuries – from Michael Hussey (61), Brad Haddin (53) and Mitchell Johnson (62) – hauled the hosts up to 268 all out, before England closed day one on 29 for none.

From 69 for five, when Tremlett made Steven Smith his third victim, the home fightback was considerable.

Even so, if the day belonged to anyone, it was Tremlett.

Characterised as a gentle giant and even an accidental hero, this was the Surrey fast bowler’s chance to prove he can make things happen.

Afterwards he emphasised that, by engineering his own move last winter from his native Hampshire to a less comfortable and more challenging environment at Surrey, he can make telling decisions off the pitch too.

Reflecting on the impact he has already made on the series after replacing the injured Stuart Broad, he said: ‘‘This was definitely a big step in my career, to hit my straps straightaway and contribute to such an important game.

‘‘People can say I’m a gentle giant if they want.

‘‘But when I get the ball in my hand I try my hardest, and try to be aggressive.

‘‘It comes from within. If you want something bad enough you work out how to do it. Obviously, there’s been a little bit of frustration on the way.

‘‘But I’ve worked hard to get back to where I want to be.

‘‘I always had the aspirations to play for England again, so it’s great for me to get the chance.’’ The final stage of that journey back into the Test arena – his three previous caps came at home to India in the summer of 2007 – was to conquer his nerves in front of an expectant, sell-out crowd.

Tremlett was told on Wednesday what most observers had long suspected, that he – rather than either of Yorkshire pair Tim Bresnan and Ajmal Shahzad – would take Broad’s place at this traditionally bouncy venue.

‘‘When I woke up this morning I was very nervous,’’ he admitted.

‘‘But when I got into my stride and bowled my first over, and got the wicket, I felt at ease and tried to enjoy the experience. I’ve had a few injuries but I feel fitter and stronger than ever and I’m very happy with my action.”

If it was going to happen for Tremlett anywhere, it was surely going to be on the bouncy strip at the WACA.

But he still had to make the most of conditions, and no one could quibble with the way Tremlett worked Hughes over with short deliveries then went for the killer blow at a fuller length.

Anderson, whose three wickets have taken him to 199 in Tests, was indebted to a superb one-handed catch by Paul Collingwood, leaping high to his right to see Ricky Ponting off cheaply again.

Hussey, who completed his fourth 50 in as many attempts in this series, was happy to give Tremlett due credit.

‘‘He hit the seam a lot. In the first session, he got it to seam both ways – which is quite a challenge to play,’’ said the Western Australia left-hander, who knows this pitch far better than most.

‘‘He seemed very well-controlled in his emotions.”

Scoreboard

Australia v England At Perth

Australia First Innings

S R Watson lbw b Finn .........................13

P J Hughes b Tremlett ......................... 2

R T Ponting c Collingwood b Anderson 12

M J Clarke c Prior b Tremlett ................. 4

M E Hussey c Prior b Swann .................61

S P Smith c Strauss b Tremlett .............. 7

B J Haddin c Swann b Anderson ..........53

M G Johnson c Anderson b Finn ..........62

R J Harris b Anderson ......................... 3

P M Siddle not out .......................35

B W Hilfenhaus c Cook b Swann ..........13

Extras (lb3 pens 0).....................3

Total (76 overs) ......................268

Fall: 1-2 2-17 3-28 4-36 5-69 6-137 7- 189 8-201 9-233

Bowling: Anderson 20-3-61-3. Tremlett 23- 3-63-3. Finn 15-1-86-2. Collingwood 2-0-3- 0. Swann 16-0-52-2.

England First Innings Close

A J Strauss not out ......................12

A N Cook not out ......................17

Extras (pens 0)...........................0

Total 0 wkts (12 overs).............29

To Bat: I J L Trott, K P Pietersen, P D Collingwood, I R Bell, M J Prior, G P Swann, J M Anderson, S T Finn, C T Tremlett

Bowling: Hilfenhaus 4-2-5-0. Harris 4-1-16- 0. Siddle 2-1-4-0. Johnson 2-1-4-0.