England on top in women’s Ashes Test

England are in the driving seat after two days of the of the women’s Ashes Test in Sydney as they reduced Australia to 177/5 a stumps.

The visitors added 45 runs to their overnight score of 253/7 to be 280 all out in the first session of the day/night encounter.

Seamer Ellyse Perry was the pick of the bowlers for the home side with figures of 3-59 in 21 overs while Megan Schutt, Jess Johanssen and debutant Tahlia McGrath took two wickets each.

Top-scorer for England was opener Tammy Beaumont who scored 70 on day one while captain Heather Knight hit 62, batting at number three.

The hosts got off to a solid start with the bat as opening pair Beth Mooney (27) and Nicole Bolton (24) put on 48 for the first wicket.

However, Australia collapsed with only Perry holding things together with an unbeaten 70.

England debutant left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone was the pick of the bowlers for the tourists so far with figures of 2-51 in 17 overs.