Despite an impressive debut by England’s Lauren Filer, Australia ploughed to 328/7 to end day one with Ellyse Perry falling short of a century but one run.
England legend Enid Bakewell, Australia’s Mitchell Starc and hundreds of school children were among those who piled into a sunny Trent Bridge to witness the first day of the 2023 Women’s Ashes Test Match.
National anthems blaring, teammates standing shoulder to shoulder with artificial fire blazing either side of them; the scene was set. After baggy greens were handed to Test debutants Phoebe Litchfield and Kim Garth and baggy blues for Danni Wyatt and England debutant, Lauren Filer, Australia won the toss and chose to bat first.
Heather Knight claimed she would have chosen to bowl, so both camps satisfied with the decision. Kate Cross stepped into the role of leading the attack as a result of the retirement of Katherine Sciver-Brunt.
It was a tentative start from both sides, with Beth Mooney, in particular, playing conservatively. The tension started to build as in the 9th over, Kate Cross dropped the first chance of the day off her own bowling. Her response, came only a few deliveries later, trapping debutant Phoebe Litchfield LBW for 23 who walked without hesitation.
Regretfully, in the 16th over another chance was dropped by Tammy Beaumont at short leg, the bowler, Sophie Ecclestone, dropping to the ground in despair. The match lulled once again as the overs ticked over.
Lauren Filer almost took a wicket with the first ball of her England career. It was a big appeal as the 22-year-old thought she trapped Perry LBW for 10, getting plenty of swing on the ball Australia reviewed Umpire Sue Redfern’s decision and DRS showed Perry’s slight inside edge, overturning the decision.
Play steadied but before lunch, towards the end of the opening session, Filer came back into the attack to take her first international wicket. Kate Cross took the catch in the slips to send Beth Mooney back to the pavilion for 33.
Australia had the upper hand as the 100 came up in the final over before lunch with Tahlia McGrath on 11 and Perry on 31.
England struggled to find a breakthrough as Perry pressed on, bringing up her half-century from 76 deliveries, hitting back-to-back boundaries to start the 36th over. McGrath followed suit, reaching 50, raising her bat in the air – England without an answer to Australia’s persistent batting.
If England’s body language wasn’t a clear enough indicator, the scoreboard showed Australia’s 200 up with Perry edging closer to a century – both batters looking comfortable at the crease.
Inevitably, it was the world’s best bowler, Sophie Ecclestone who provided the counter attack dismissing McGrath for 61 – the Aussie batter looking behind her to see the bails scattered on the ground.
As predicted, the showers started, and the teams left the field with Australia 213/3 after 51.3 overs. It was just under two hours later that play started again with Jess Jonassen and the anchor, Perry at the crease.
A key breakthrough came for England as a hesitant and brave review by Heather Knight saw the end of Jonassen. Ecclestone took two wickets in three balls, removing skipper, Alyssa Healy for a duck – her third consecutive duck in Test matches.
As Perry moved closer to another century, Lauren Filer came back into the attack. The debutant saw the end of Perry who fell short the milestone, ending on 99 with a tidy catch by Nat Sciver-Brunt.
Australia placed the pressure back on England as the close of play came into sight. Ash Gardner and Annabel Sutherland found some rhythm building a solid partnership. Sophia Dunkley came into the attack to bowl her unconventional leg-spin, Gardner taking advantage of this, hitting the first six of the day.
The new ball was taken with five overs remaining, Kate Cross once again leading the attack. It was Lauren Bell however, who worked her magic with the new ball, Gardner nicking the ball behind into the safe hands of keeper, Amy Jones.
Play closed with Australia on 328/7
Debutants: Phoebe Litchfield (AUS), Kim Garth (AUS), Lauren Filer (ENG), Danni Wyatt (ENG)
England XI: Tammy Beaumont, Emma Lamb, Heather Knight ©, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Sophia Dunkley, Danni Wyatt, Amy Jones (wk), Sophie Ecclestone, Kate Cross, Lauren Filer, Lauren Bell
Australia XI: Beth Mooney, Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Tahlia McGrath, Jess Jonassen, Alyssa Healy © (wk), Ashleigh Gardner, Annabel Sutherland, Alana King, Kim Garth, Darcie Brown
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