Australia batters dominate opening day of Ashes Test
Half-centuries from Ellyse Perry, Rachael Haynes, Meg Lanning and Alyssa Healy saw Australia rack up a total of 265-3 on day one of the first Test between England and Australia.
Perry – who hit an unbeaten 213 against England in the 2017 Ashes Test – top-scored for her side on Thursday as she finished the day not out on 84. The all-rounder and Haynes put on 105 before the close of play.
Half-century for Rachael Haynes!
She’s the fourth Australian batter to go to fifty today. #WomensAshes pic.twitter.com/PHGmvs6GQ5
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) July 18, 2019
Lanning won the toss and elected to bat at Taunton in what is a must-win match for England to keep their hopes of an Ashes series win alive.
Nicole Bolton fell early as Katherine Brunt bowled the left-hander for 6. England were struck an early blow when Sophie Ecclestone left the field having hurt herself whilst fielding before Healy became the first batter of the day to get to fifty.
Kirstie Gordon – making her Test debut – bowled Healy to end the Australian wicketkeeper’s stay after lunch but Lanning went on to reach a maiden Test half-century.
Ecclestone returned to bowl Lanning with a ball that slid on, but that was to be England’s final wicket of the day as Haynes and Perry batted through till the close.
