Women’s Ashes 2019, England Women v Australia Women Day 2: Preview, predictions

Australia Women’s dominated Day One of the one-off Ashes Test, at County Ground, Taunton, finishing on 265/3. It could have been more, had it not been for the disciplined bowling of England Women in the last session. Australia had scored 160 off the first 53 overs, but the next 47 overs yielded just 105.

Remember, Australia already hold The Ashes and had got all 6 points from the ODIs. So to retain The Ashes, all they need from the Test is a draw. The pitch is deteriorating, but even if that keeps happening, Australia have already scored enough to out England under pressure.

Katherine Brunt bowled Nicole Bolton off-stump in her first spell after Heather Knight lost a crucial toss. But Alyssa Healy (58) kept playing her shots, and while Meg Lanning (57) took her time, she unleashed some delightful strokes once she got her eye in.

Healy also struck Tammy Beaumont on the thumb while the latter, fielding at forward short leg, refused to move away from a full-blooded pull.

Debutant Kirstie Gordon bowled Healy just before lunch when the latter tried to shuffle and play towards the leg. Ellyse Perry (84*), however, dominated proceedings, first with Lanning, then with a dogged Rachel Haynes (54*).

Lanning was eventually claimed by a quicker ball from Sophie Ecclestone that hit off-stump. Shortly afterwards, Ecclestone dived to stop a ball, injured her left shoulder, left her over unfinished, and did not return.

In other words, more misery awaits England Women on Day Two.

Brief scores

Australia Women 265/3 (Ellyse Perry 84*, Alyssa Healy 58; Katherine Brunt 1/30) vs England Women.

Key players

Kirstie Gordon (England Women): A lot will depend on debutant Gordon from here. With Ecclestone uncertain, Gordon’s left-arm spin is England’s only slow-bowling option at this point. Can she replicate her magic from the tour match at Marlborough, where she had taken 2/43 and 6/85 against the tourists for England Academy Women?

Ellyse Perry (Australia Women): Perry had scored a double-hundred the last time a Women’s Test was played. The way she is going, she looks set for another hundred – and then maybe replicate something like the last ODI, where she had taken 7/22.

Prediction

Australia Women to pile on more runs and inch closer towards The Ashes.