Australia dominate first day of Women's Ashes Test leaving England with a mountain to climb
Day one, Taunton: Australia (265-3) vs England
Women’s Tests are so few and far between that their statistics offer all sorts of anomalies. Alyssa Healy, averaging 50 in one-day international cricket over the past two years had, before Thursday, never scored a Test half century. Meg Lanning, a prolific, record-breaking batter, had a Test average of just 17.
When your opportunity comes just once every two years, therefore, there is added incentive to capitalise. Healy, Lanning and Rachael Haynes all did, with neat half centuries to contribute to the Australian cause. However the star of the day, once more, albeit with a different coloured ball and the opposite discipline, was Ellyse Perry.
Perry, whose bowling in the last ODI produced seven wickets for 22 runs, has now faced 579 consecutive balls in Test cricket without being dismissed. With a high elbow like a tiller steering the good ship Australia into harbour for the night, the accomplished all-rounder finished on 84 not out.
"Not too much flusters her," laughed Haynes. "Sometimes it’s hard to get something out of her in the middle as well, as her partner. She’s pretty relaxed and very confident in her game and what she’s able to do. She looks in really good control out there so hopefully she can keep batting."
For Australia it was simple, weather any storm before making hay. They require, after all, only a draw in this Test to retain the Ashes. For England, they needed to consistently build pressure. Unfortunately for the hosts, every time they appeared to have the cork firmly in place, a pocket of air emerged. With a hiss and swipe of the bat, four runs to the total and they were back to square one.
Line, length and perseverance is what is required in Test cricket but England, needing a win, do not have time on their hands. With rain forecast for Friday, patience is a virtue to which they cannot aspire. Their impatience showed.
Sophie Ecclestone, the young left-arm spinner touted as the world’s best - if not yet, then soon - had much of England’s hopes thrust upon her as a spinning wicket was prepared. However, the second over after lunch, unremarkable in itself, was a good reflection of England’s day.
Ecclestone built pressure, more pressure, then a close shout, an lbw call following dot after dot. And then, just as we had reached the point when something, anything must happen, a wider delivery outside off and Perry had carved it to the cover boundary for four.
"Prior to the lunch break it felt like there was always a delivery there that eased a bit of pressure," said Haynes. "But after lunch they definitely tightened up and it was a lot tougher in sessions two and three."
And yet there was no flurry of wickets; instead a day of green-and-gold-lined partnerships. Test debutant Kirstie Gordon offered flashes of brilliance but ultimately proved an active participant in the release of that pressure valve. For every beautiful ball there followed, like clockwork, a hearty full toss.
The brilliance did for Healy, who was bowled around the legs, and almost Lanning too, who was dropped at extra cover for 26. But the expectant wide one was enough for four of the five Australian batters at the crease to capitalise upon.
They played like the men in the days before DRS; big stride, front pad and make sure you’re covering your stumps. No umpire, without the assurance of the snickometer and a television replay, dare call a bat-pad lbw. Safer to shake the head, give the benefit of the doubt and the batter, at the end of all that, remains.
That DRS is not being used in this series has already been raised, but again its omission was keenly felt. That is because it dictated the style of play; England had more appeals than the High Court refers in a year, but none succeeded.
As much as England strained, their attack was quelled - calmly, confidently and all too expectantly. And Australia, to no one’s surprise, take the advantage on day one.
