Australia’s dominance tested by England’s resurgence – Australia reach 328/7 at stumps

It has been an engrossing day of Test Cricket. The opening day of the one – off Test match saw Australia dominating before England’s Sophie Ecclestone and debutant Lauren Filer picked up three quick wickets, including Alyssa Healy for duck and Ellyse perry for 99.

Australia winning the toss selected to bat first on a sunny day at Trent Bridge. Both the teams made a few changes in the team Kim Garth and Phoebe Litchfield made their debuts for Australia while Lauren Filer and Dyanni Wyatt made their debuts for England.

Australia was off to the flyer at the starting of the day, Phoebe Litchfield played some excellent shots at the start of the innings but eventually she was dismissed by Kate Cross and was given LBW at 23. Mooney who had a few lucky escapes eventually edged Filer to gully, leaving Australia at 83/2.

Ellyse Perry was promoted to No.3 for this Test, Perry made her intentions clear from the start, dispatching Ecclestone’s first ball to the boundary. She formed a crucial partnership with Tahila McGrath, helping Australia gain the momentum in the middle session. McGrath played some excellent shots and reached her second Test fifty off just 67 deliveries. However, Ecclestone spun one past McGrath’s defences, dismissing her for a career-best 61 and ending their partnership of 119 runs.

Meanwhile, Perry continued to dominate against the red-ball, punishing loose deliveries and handling Ecclestone’s challenges. Her innings was interrupted by rain when she was on 82 and Australia was at 213/3. After the rain delay, Ecclestone struck twice in an over, dismissing Jess Jonassen for 11 and bowling Healy for a duck. England fought their way back into the game, reducing Australia to 226/5. Lauren Filer dismissed Perry on 99 and denied Perry her century.

However, Ashleigh Gardner and Annabel Sutherland managed to regain some momentum for Australia, taking the team past the 300-run mark before stumps. Ashleigh Gardner looked good but was dismissed by Lauren Bell at 40. Australia reached 328/7, with Annabel Sutherland on 39 and Alana king on seven.

Australia was looking dangerous and was moving forward for scoring a mammoth first innings total but they were denied by Ecclestone and Lauren Filer. Ecclestone showcased her skills as the world’s premier spinner, bowling 31 overs and ending the day with figures of 3-71. Filer, who was a surprise inclusion in England’s Test Squad, troubled the Australian batters with her pace and bounce, taking two important wickets including that of Beth Mooney for 33 and denying Perry her century.