Top order take Australia to brink of Ashes retention
Australia captain Meg Lanning won the toss and elected to bat on a used pitch, with both sides selecting three spinners apiece in the anticipation of some turn. But there was little sign of much assistance on the first day, with her team making the most of conditions to bat themselves into a strong position.
They didn’t have things all their own way, with Katherine Brunt striking in the seventh over, bowling Nicole Bolton for 6 with one that held its line and hit the top of off. But that was as good as it got, with the rest of Australia’s batters all passing fifty as they reached the close on 265/3.
Alyssa Healy blazed away before being bowled round her legs by Kirstie Gordon for 58, while Lanning was more sedate before becoming the third to have her stumps rattled, by Sophie Ecclestone for 57.
It was a good bit of bowling, the left-armer getting one to go straight on, and the result of a period of setting Lanning up, turning them away on an off-stump line previously. It was encouraging for England from another point of view, with Ecclestone having earlier gone off injured after diving for a catch, though the injury suffered by opener Tammy Beaumont, who was struck at short leg, looked more serious, and she has subsequently been sent for an x-ray.
That Lanning scalp would be the last of the day however, with star all-rounder Ellyse Perry and Rachael Haynes bedding in, adding 105 for the fourth wicket. Their runs came slowly, at just over two an over, as the ball aged, but Australia surely won’t mind that.
For the tourists, a stalemate would retain the Ashes at the first time of asking, with England needing to win the multi-format series to win back the urn. With weather also set to play a part, they need something special on day two to keep their hopes alive.