Late wickets to Australia has restricted England to 7-235 at stumps on day one of the Women’s Ashes Test at North Sydney Oval.
Test debutant Tahlia McGrath (2-48) claimed the home team’s first wicket, removing Lauren Winfield (4) after Nicole Bolton completed a spectacular one-handed catch at short cover.
The visitors fought back as Tammy Beaumont (70) and captain Heather Knight (62) then combined for a 104-run partnership in an busy middle session, before another debutant Amanda-Jade Wellington (1-56) got the big breakthrough to remove Beaumont.
In an eventful final session, Jess Jonassen (2-52) and Ellyse Perry (2-48) were rewarded for their persistence with two wickets each as no another England batter went past a score of 29.
Australia currently lead the multi-format series after winning two of the three ODI games that preceded the Test.
The teams will then also three T20Is to round off the Women’s Ashes series.
