Crouch has failed to score for Liverpool this season and with Wayne Rooney suspended for this crucial World Cup qualifier, Jermain Defoe seemed the ideal choice to regain his place in the side.

But Sven-Goran Eriksson made the bold choice to include the 6'7 striker and his faith was repaid as Crouch formed an impressive partnership with Michael Owen in the England attack.

His presence caused all kinds of problems for the Austrian defence and he showed his all-round qualities on 17 minutes when he nearly set up the first goal for his strike-partner.

Crouch played a pin-point ball into the path of the Newcastle forward who seemed to be through on goal, but Owen was denied at the last moment by the Austrian defence.

Owen was clearly enjoying his new partnership with Crouch and helped England score the opening goal on 24 minutes when he was brought down inside the box and Frank Lampard converted the penalty.

Crouch, who was celebrating just his second cap for the senior side had two golden opportunities to get his name on the scoresheet.

Steven Gerrard's cross picked out Crouch who was unmarked inside the box on 29 minutes, but his close-range header flew straight at Jurgen Macho in the Austrian goal.

And he came even closer to making a dream start to his England career on 57 minutes when he rose the highest to meet a David Beckham free-kick, but his header produced another fine save from Macho.

The dismissal of skipper David Beckham clearly changed the course of the game and both Crouch and Owen found it hard to trouble the Austrian goal in the latter stages of the game.

But at least Eriksson knows he can rely on choosing Crouch to lead the England attack as his side moved a step closer to securing their place in the World Cup next summer.