Honours even after England let early advantage slip at Women’s Ashes Test

Australia opener Rachael Haynes hits out on her way to 86 on day one of the Women’s Ashes Test against England at Manuka Oval. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP

For a while on the first morning of the women’s Ashes Test in Canberra, England had the match firmly in their hands. Then those same hands let it slip, dropping catches in the cordon from Meg Lanning and Rachael Haynes before they both went close to making centuries. By stumps, the score was a hefty 327 for seven.

England captain Heather Knight was sure from years of Big Bash experience that the surface at Manuka Oval would be good for batting throughout the full four days. Confident that any assistance for bowlers would come at the start of the match, she chose to field on winning the toss.