Australia exhibited dominance for significant portions of the game led by Ellyse Perry, while Lauren Filer had an impressive debut for England, along with Sophie Ecclestone, who helped balance the scales on the first day of the One-off Test at Trent Bridge.
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At the end of the day’s play, Australia had reached a score of 328/7, with Annabel Sutherland (39) and Alana King (7) undefeated at the crease.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Australia faced a shaky start, losing openers Beth Mooney and Test debutant Phoebe Litchfield, resulting in a score of 83/2.
Ellyse Perry showcased her prowess in Test cricket for Australia, delivering another outstanding performance. However, her chance to achieve a third Test century was cut short when Filer caught her at gully on 99. Soon after, Sophie Ecclestone claimed two wickets in three balls, including dismissing Alyssa Healy for a second-ball duck, causing Australia’s score to drop to 238/6.
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Perry formed a crucial 119-run partnership with Tahlia McGrath, who demonstrated excellent strokeplay to reach a well-paced fifty off 67 deliveries, particularly through cover drives. Perry, on the other hand, reached her fifty by skilfully guiding a four between second slip and gully off Kate Cross, followed by another elegant shot through midwicket. McGrath was eventually dismissed by Ecclestone, the left-arm spinner, as the ball angled in and spun through her advanced defence, crashing into the top of the middle stump.
Left-hander Jess Jonassen was promoted to number 5 in the batting order. However, she was caught by Tammy Beaumont at short leg and given out after England’s review. This was Ecclestone’s second wicket of the day.
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In the third over, Ellyse Perry attempted a cut shot against Filer’s rising short ball but narrowly missed Nat Sciver-Brunt in the gully. Perry then tried to drive the next delivery from Filer but instead sent it straight to Sciver-Brunt, much to Filer’s delight.
