'It was really enjoyable' – Ellyse Perry reflects on Ashes hundred

Perry, who struck an unbeaten 217 in the previous Ashes series at home in 2017, brought up another hundred against England in the ongoing one-off Test in Taunton. The batter made a brilliant 116 from 281 balls and also shared an important 162-run stand with Rachel Haynes, who missed out on a century when Laura Marsh had her trapped in front for 87.

Both the batters helped lift their side to a good total, and after they were dismissed, Australia went into lunch at 341/5 but due to persistent rain, Day 2 saw no further action.

Perry believed that her side is in a good position but felt for her partner, Haynes, for missing out on her hundred.

"It's obviously pleasing to be in the position, it was a real pleasure to be out there with Rach and put on the partnership that we did," Perry said after play. "I'm really disappointed for her that she didn't quite get to the century because I think she thoroughly deserved that. But all in all, it was really enjoyable to be out there."

When Perry was approaching her century, the jittery 'nervous 90s' kicked in. "Rach was incredible actually, she just really wanted to get the single for me, and we both thought we were much faster runners than we actually were," said Perry. "It was kind of comical in a way, probably fitting that’s how I ended up bringing up my hundred."

With only two more days' play remaining and more than 300 runs on the board already, Perry felt that Australia are in a good position to win the Test.

"I think we are in a strong position and still got a good opportunity and enough time in the game to win if we bowl really well but that poses a really great challenge to our bowling unit. Obviously, there's a bit turn out there but I think there's a place for the seam if we get the ball swinging which at times England did and that was threatening, so I think it's a really good opportunity for everyone."