The one-off Test between Australia and England has started in a great fashion where Rachael Haynes (86), Meg Lanning (93), Tahlia McGrath (52) and Ashleigh Gardner (56) have scored the fifties for Australia on Day 1.
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The one-off Ashes Test between Australia and England has started in a great fashion where Rachael Haynes (86), Meg Lanning (93), Tahlia McGrath (52) and Ashleigh Gardner (56) have scored the fifties for Australia on Day 1. They posted a strong total of 327 for 7 in Canberra. Meanwhile, Katherine Brunt and Natalie Sciver claimed three wickets each for England.
England won the toss and elected to bowl first. They used the condition quite well as the veteran Katherine Brunt had given the tourists the perfect start by dismissing Alyssa Healy very early. Soon Anya Shrubsole removed Beth Mooney with the away-swinging delivery as well.
Natalie Sciver then dismissed the key scalp of Ellyse Perry with the short ball. Perry, who used to remain unbeaten in the Ashes Test has finally got out after a long time. She scored 18 and with her dismissal, the team was reduced to 43 for 3. However, captain Meg Lanning and vice-captain Rachael Haynes started to steady the ship. They both slowly picked up the pace and started punishing the opponent bowlers.
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England, however, got the chance to break the partnership when Sophie Ecclestone bowled a nice delivery to drag Lanning forward and produce the edge. But, England captain Heather Knight failed to grab it at the slip. Along with this, Sciver also failed a sharp chance off Katherine Brunt at second slip, with Haynes getting the life.
And, Meg Lanning used the chances quite well by collecting three boundaries in a single over off Kate Cross and also scored a convincing fifty as well throughout the process. Eventually, Sciver broke the 169-run partnership by dismissing Lanning. Knight, who had dropped Lanning earlier, dismissed her by taking a sharp catch in the slips.
Brunt then removed Haynes in the very next over to leave Australia five down as well. Just that, Tahlia McGrath and Ashleigh Garnder joined hands and added another 84-run stand. The duo player really well to keep the scorecard ticking over. However, Brunt trapped Gardner but McGrath played with freedom and smashed three boundaries off the 94th over bowled by Cross. Meanwhile, just before the stumps, Sciver removed McGrath off the last ball of the day as well.
Brief scores: Australia 327/7 (Meg Lanning 93, Rachael Haynes 86; Natalie Sciver 3-41) vs England.
