Women’s Ashes: Australia in control despite strong England start on day one of Test in Canberra | Cricket News

Australia reached 327-7 at stumps on day one of the Women’s Ashes Test; England reduce the home side to 4-2 after opting to bowl first before Meg Lanning (93) and Rachael Haynes (86) hit back with a 169-run stand; Ashleigh Gardner (56) and Tahlia McGrath (52) also made half-centuries

Meg Lanning fell just short of her century but put Australia in a strong position after day one in Canberra

Meg Lanning and Rachael Haynes shared a fourth-wicket stand of 169 as Australia overcame a rocky start to take control on day one of the Women’s Ashes Test against England.

Both fell short of their centuries as they were dismissed in quick succession after tea but their partnership helped the home side recover from 4-2 and 43-3 having been inserted by Heather Knight.

Katherine Brunt (3-52) and Anya Shrubsole (1-36) did the damage with the new ball while Nat Sciver (3-41) also impressed for England as Alyssa Healy (0), Beth Mooney (3) and Ellyse Perry (18) all fell cheaply before lunch.

However, Lanning (93) and Haynes (86) made the most of chances afforded to them by England drops to take Australia to a position of strength by the end of the second session at Canberra’s Manuka Oval.

England sensed an opportunity when the pair fell in successive overs to Sciver and Brunt but Ashleigh Gardner (56) countered with a quick half-century and Tahlia McGrath (52) reached her maiden Test fifty before edging the last ball of the day behind to keep Australia well on top.

More to follow…

What’s next?

The West Indies vs England T20 series comes to a conclusion in Bridgetown, Barbados this weekend with the fourth game on Saturday (8pm UK time) and the fifth on Sunday (8pm UK time).

The Women’s Ashes, meanwhile, continues with the standalone Test match in Canberra (Thursday-Sunday). Australia led the multi-format series 4-2 after the three T20 internationals, with the hosts winning the first game by nine wickets before the second and third matches were washed out by rain.

Perth vs Sydney Sixers

January 28, 2022, 7:30am

Live on

Sticking in Australia, and the Big Bash League final is live on Sky Sports Cricket from 7.30am on Friday as Sydney Sixers look for a third successive title when they face Perth Scorchers at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne.