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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Megan Maurice (earlier) and Rob Smyth (later)

Women’s Ashes Test: Australia set England target of 268 to win on day four – as it happened

Phoebe Litchfield Beth Mooney Australia England ”Cross Tammy Beaumont Test (Event) Ecclestone Tayla Vlaeminck Cricket
Australia celebrate the dismissal of captain Heather Knight as England lose early wickets.
Australia celebrate the dismissal of captain Heather Knight as England lose early wickets. Photograph: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Raf Nicholson’s report from Trent Bridge

That’s it for today, but we’ll be back in the morning for the last act of this excellent Test match. Thanks for your company and emails. Goodnight!

Sophie Ecclestone speaks

Ash Gardner speaks to Sky Sports

We probably didn’t bat to our full potential, but I guess we’ve seen in this last innings how hard it is to bat. Some balls are spinning, some balls aren’t, some balls are rolling. It’s about keeping the stumps in play.

[On Alyssa Healy’s innings] That was huge. We spoke at tea about how important those runs were, and to see her play a captain’s knock was fantastic. It’s a bit of a monkey off the back for her as well.

[On Tammy Beaumont’s dismissal] That was a bit lucky, it could have gone anywhere. It was a loosener but I’ll take it.

We always speak about batting in partnerships but bowling in partnerships is just as important. T-Mac and I were able to string a few overs together and put the pressure back on them.

On a wicket like this you need to stay patient and keep the stumps in play. It won’t happen every ball, but it will happen. As a bowling unit we know we’re good enough to take the last five wickets.

Updated

England need another 152 runs to win

Australia are strong favourites after eight wickets fell in a dramatic final session at Trent Bridge. The Aussies collapsed from 149-1 to 198-7 either of side before Alyssa Healy – who moved herself down the order – made a crucial counter-attacking 50. Sophie Ecclestone finished with five wickets in the innings and ten in the match.

England got off to a flying start chasing 268, with Emma Lamb and Tammy Beaumont breezily adding 55 in 10 overs. Then Ash Gardner, who was always likely to be Australia’s trump card with Alana King off the field, dismissed Beaumont with her first ball.

The rest of the top five soon followed, Heather Knight to an unplayable grubber, and England were left fighting for survival. It will take something remarkable from Danni Wyatt and Amy Jones if England are to get close to their target in the morning.

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Stumps

27th over: England 116-5 (Wyatt 20, Cross 5) Garth almost gets another just before the close with an effort ball that bounces past Cross’s defensive stroke.

Cross punches the next ball past mid-off for four, a fine shot for a lower-order batter, and offers no stroke to the last ball of the day. It whistles just past off stump, and that’s the end of a pulsating day’s play.

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26th over: England 112-5 (Wyatt 20, Cross 1) Cross takes a single off the third ball of the over, which exposes Wyatt to Gardner. No matter: Wyatt lives to tell the tale, and Gardner ends a matchwinning spell (probably) with figures of 9-1-33-3.

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25th over: England 110-5 (target 268; Wyatt 19, Cross 0) Kate Cross, in as nightwatchwoman, survives the rest of the over. The wicket of Dunkley is a devastating blow for England so close to stumps. Garth had only just come on to replace Tahlia McGrath, who bowled a terrific eight-over spell. It was an immaculate delivery, perfect line and length with just enough movement to take the edge. And it was a really fine catch from Healy, who has had an excellent day with bat, gloves and captaincy brain.

WICKET! England 110-5 (Dunkley c Healy b Garth 16)

Kim Garth has taken her first Test wicket! Dunkley thin-edged a fine delivery through to Healy, who took a superb catch standing up to the stumps. It was an even better take because she was hit painfully on the tip of the finger by the previous ball. The grimace that she had as Garth ran into bowl soon turned into a broad smile.

Out! Sophia Dunkley is gone for just a single run.
Out! Sophia Dunkley is gone for just a single run. Photograph: Tim Goode/PA

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24th over: England 108-4 (target 268; Dunkley 16, Wyatt 19) Gardner moves around the wicket to Wyatt, who slices a drive through point for four. It was in the air for a while but nowhere near a fielder.

While they’ve needed a bit of luck, Dunkley and Wyatt have done well in tricky circumstances. Their partnership is now worth 34 in 10 overs.

23rd over: England 102-4 (target 268; Dunkley 15, Wyatt 13) Dunkley goes after a very wide outswinger from McGrath and is beaten. McGrath is still going strong, even after such a long spell: 8-2-15-1.

22nd over: England 101-4 (target 268; Dunkley 15, Wyatt 13) Wyatt skids back in his crease to force Gardner past point for four. That’s such a good shot.

An inside-edge from Wyatt lands safely on the leg side. She doesn’t look secure defensively against Gardner and edges three off the last ball to bring up the England hundred. Gardner is bowling such an aggressive line, well wide of off stump in the best Australian traditions.

22nd over: England 94-4 (target 268; Dunkley 15, Wyatt 6) The McGardner partnership continues. McGrath works Dunkley across the crease and then slips in the fuller inswinger. Dunkley is equal to it, and there’s no other excitement in the over. A maiden.

21st over: England 94-4 (target 268; Dunkley 15, Wyatt 6) A risky stroke from Dunkley, who tries to cut a wide rball from Gardner that gets big on her. It flies off a top edge and over slip for four. I suppose England have to find a way to put pressure on Gardner and they can’t do that without taking risks.

20th over: England 89-4 (Dunkley 10, Wyatt 6) A reminder that, if Australia win this game – spoiler alert! – England will need to win five of the six white-ball matches to regain the Ashes. With that, good luck.

McGrath beats Wyatt with a wicket-to-wicket awayswinger. She has bowled beautifully in this spell: 6-1-14-1.

19th over: England 88-4 (Dunkley 9, Wyatt 6) Gardner has gone two overs without taking a wicket, which is a boon of sorts for England. Dunkley and Wyatt both look busy and purposeful, but that target of 268 feels at least 180 runs away.

“Regarding DRS LBW calls…” begins David Howell. “In tennis, the same technology allows for a decisive in/out line call with the tiniest of margins because the ball’s location can be exactly tracked. For LBW, the cameras can’t say where the ball precisely went because, by definition, it didn’t. So the technology has to extrapolate on the future location of the ball based on its previous movement, and that process has a margin of error.

“I would argue that this process is already set up to provide some benefit-of-doubt to the batter - even the barest of ‘missing’ is not out, yet hitting the stump half-ball is umpire’s call, which implies that there’s half a ball of error margin and therefore a marginal ‘missing”’ could just as easily have been a stump-shaver like McGrath-to-Lamb was projected to be. Doesn’t make it any less brutal though, especially when Australia have been doing Australia things ever since.”

18th over: England 87-4 (Dunkley 8, Wyatt 6) Still 10 overs remaining after this, though we might not get them all in. Dunkley and Wyatt are possibly England’s most attacking players, so they’ll be having the age-old stick/twist dilemma right now.

Wyatt gets her first boundary by steering/edging a McGrath inswinger between slip and gully.

“When it comes to complaints about lbws,” begins Richard Adams, “I always remember the wise words of our old skipper – ‘Next time, try getting your bat in the way.’

“It wasn’t much comfort at the time but it was a serious point - if you miss the ball, anything that happens after that is mainly your fault.”

While I know what your old skipper means, there would have been a rare old row had somebody said to Alec Stewart at Galle in 2001.

17th over: England 81-4 (Dunkley 7, Wyatt 2) Wyatt gets off the mark with a jaunty late cut for two off Gardner. You can tell she wants to counter-attack, but it’s easier thought than done against Gardner. The last ball of the over explodes from a length to beat Wyatt outside off stump.

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16th over: England 79-4 (Dunkley 6, Wyatt 0) While Gardner has grabbed the headlines, this has been a terrific spell from McGrath, both accurate and menacing. Wyatt is surprised by a lifting outswinger that she has to drop on the off side; then England get four bonus runs when the ball moves so far off the seam that it beats Healy down the leg side.

15th over: England 73-4 (Dunkley 5, Wyatt 0) That was an unplayable delivery from Gardner, so there's no blame attached to Knight. Like Lamb she might feel a bit unfortunate because only around five per cent of the ball hit her pad in line with the stumps.

Either way, her dismissal leaves England in abundant poop. Since Gardner came on Australia have taken four huge wickets for 18 runs in five overs.

WICKET! England 73-4 (Knight LBW b Gardner 9)

The TV commentators have confirmed that Alana King is off the field with an elbow injury after being struck by Lauren Filer (I think). It sounds like she might be okay to bowl tomorrow.

Maybe Australia won’t need her; At the moment, Gardner is winning this Test on her own! She pins Heather Knight in front with a hideous, big-spinning grubber. Knight reviews, hoping she managed to get outside the line. She didn’t – it’s umpire’s call and that means Knight has to go. Gardner has taken three for nine!

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14th over: England 71-3 (Knight 8, Dunkley 4) Sophia Dunkley struggled in the first innings, making 9 from 51 balls. This time her first ball is a low full toss from McGrath that she clips for four. The ebb and flow on this fourth day, never mind the whole Test, has been fascinating. Cruise, lose a wicket, cruise, collapse, counter-attack, collapse, cruise, collapse.

“It’s understandable that Lamb is more than a bit miffed,” says John Starbuck. “It’s one of the DRS oddities that, depending on umpire’s call an original Not Out decision would have saved her, but that the initial judgment was Out means that only a smidgin had to be hitting the wicket.

“I know that the margins are very fine and you’ve got to draw the line somewhere, but the status quo rankles. Can’t we improve it by returning the benefit of the doubt to the batter?”

How would you do that? Change the margins on umpire’s call? Broadly I think the current system works really well, though I agree LBWs like that are slightly unsatisfactory.

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13th over: England 66-3 (Knight 7, Sciver-Brunt 0) That is a huge blow to England, who had raced to 55-0 in 10 overs before Ash Gardner came into the attack.

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WICKET! England 66-3 (Sciver-Brunt c Garth b Gardner 0)

Hello (again)! The England captain Heather Knight gets off the mark by slog-sweeping Gardner for six. That was some shot, clouted emphatically over midwicket. She has probably theorised that England won’t win this game unless they take calculated risks against the spinners.

But with calculated risk comes, well, risk. Nat Sciver-Brunt has gone for a third-ball duck after top-edging a sweep high in the air. Kim Garth ran round from short fine leg to take a good low catch.

Nat Sciver-Brunt hits out for a duck.
Nat Sciver-Brunt hits out for a duck. The pressure mounts on England. Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images

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12th over: England 59-2 (Knight 0, Sciver-Brunt 0) The new batter is Nat Sciver-Brunt. If Australia can break this key partnership in the 16 overs before the close, they’ll be favourites going into the final day.

WICKET! England 59-2 (Lamb LBW b McGrath 28)

Two wickets in two overs! Emma Lamb flicks across the line at a full ball from McGrath and is given out LBW by Anna Harris. It looks legsideish – probably umpire’s call – and Lamb understandably decides to review.

Here comes the replay… it’s out! It was just, and I mean just, hitting the outside of leg stump. Emma Lamb, who made a useful 28 from 40 balls, might be a bit aggrieved at that LBW. Which is an odd thing to say given it was the correct decision, but you know what I mean.

Tahlia McGrath celebrates taking the wicket of Emma Lamb.
Tahlia McGrath celebrates taking the wicket of Emma Lamb. Photograph: Tim Goode/PA

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11th over: England 59-1 (target 268; Lamb 28, Knight 0) Hello! After defending the first ball, Knight tries an extravagant reverse sweep at her second and is beaten. She was so unbalanced that she almost fell over.

England get four bonus runs when Gardner sprays one down the leg side. They need 209 to win.

Hang on, Ash Gardner is on a hat-trick! She dismissed Tammy Beaumont with the last ball of England’s first innings, then again with her first ball of the second. Heather Knight ruins the potential statgasm with a solid defensive stroke.

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WICKET! England 55-1 (Beaumont c Mooney b Gardner 22)

This feels like a key moment in the game. The offspinner Ashleigh Gardner, who took four top-order wickets for 99 in the first innings, is coming into the attack.

My word, she’s struck first ball! Beaumont chased a flighted half-volley and sliced it straight to slip, where Beth Mooney took a really sharp catch. Beaumont goes for a perky 22, having made 240 runs in the match.

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10th over: England 55-0 (target 268; Lamb 28, Beaumont 22) Tahlia McGrath, who cleaned up the tail in the first innings, is now tasked with doing the same to England’s top order. She replaces Kim Garth (4-0-17-0) and restores some order with a thrifty first over.

Alana King is off the field, which could be a problem for Australia. She’s sitting in the stands, flicking a ball in her hand, so maybe it’s not so serious.

9th over: England 54-0 (target 268; Lamb 28, Beaumont 21) Emma Lamb is warned for running on the pitch, although there’s no advantage in that for England as Sophie Ecclestone’s work with the ball is over.

Lamb back cuts Sutherland for two to bring up a breezy fifty partnership from 51 balls. Then she gets fourth boundary with an emphatic flick past midwicket. Australia are struggling here.

8th over: England 48-0 (target 268; Lamb 22, Beaumont 21) Too short from Garth, and Beaumont savages a pull for four. For whatever reason the evening session has been a really good time to bat in this game, and Beaumont gets four more with a flick to fine leg. That’s 20 runs from the last two overs. Alyssa Healy will surely have to turn to her spinners earlier than planned. Australia need a maiden over, never mind a wicket.

“Isn’t there something intrinsically unsatisfactory about a single Test?” writes Alec Hamilton. “Whatever the outcome of this terrific match, the result will feel definitive. But a single result is not going to be proof of the quality of these two teams. ‘Best of three’ feels like the minimum to stop this seeming like an exhibition match, even running the risk of seeming like a sort of novelty – women’s cricket has got beyond that.”

If the Ashes was decided by this Test I’d agree, but it feels different when it’s part of a multi-format series. In that context I think it works, although that doesn’t mean they can’t or shouldn’t play more Tests in future.

Tammy Beaumont in action
Tammy Beaumont absolutely leathers one to the rope for four. Photograph: Molly Darlington/Reuters

Updated

7th over: England 39-0 (target 268; Lamb 22, Beaumont 13) Darcie Brown is replaced by Annabel Sutherland, who dismissed Lamb in her first over in the first innings – and almost did so again here.

Sutherland’s first two balls were almost identical. Lamb felt tentatively for both and edged wide of second slip for four. The first probably wouldn’t have carried to third slip; the second certainly would have done.

This is a dream start for England, who need a further 229 to win.

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6th over: England 28-0 (target 268; Lamb 11, Beaumont 13) Beaumont punches Garth between extra cover and mid-off for four, an immaculate bit of placement and timing. She looks in glorious touch, which is no surprise given she’s made 409 runs in her last two innings.

5th over: England 24-0 (target 268; Lamb 11, Beaumont 9) A stylish drive from Beaumont is superbly stopped at mid-off by Perry, saving three runs in the process.

Lamb is beaten by consecutive deliveries from Brown, the first a beauty that kicks from a length. But she undoes the good work with a wide half-volley that Lamb creams through cover point for four.

Emma Lamb hits a delicious cover drive for four runs.
Emma Lamb hits a delicious cover drive for four runs. Photograph: Tim Goode/PA

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4th over: England 19-0 (target 268; Lamb 7, Beaumont 8) Emma Lamb receives some treatment between overs. I think she hurt her knee when straining for that quick single.

She’s fine to continue and gets a bonus run when a shy at the stumps evades McGrath backing up. Garth has started bowling wider of off stump, trying to tempt Lamb into something injudicious. That will also help control the scoring rate until the ball loses some hardness.

“This proves,” says Peter Gartner, “that women could easily play five five-day matches for an Ashes series.”

I’m no expert, particularly on the commercial side, but I feel like that would be too big a leap. (It has happened before, in 1984-85 I think, but a lot has changed since then.) The multiformat Ashes works well and seems very popular. That said, it would be great if they added another Test next time. Two Tests, three ODIs, three T20s: 20 points to play for.

3rd over: England 15-0 (target 268; Lamb 3, Beaumont 8) Lamb takes a very tight single to Perry at mid-off. The throw missed the stumps so we’ll never know whether she would have been home.

Beaumont gets off the mark with a smooth swivel-pull for four, then adds another boundary with a classy drive to the left of mid-on. There’s a bit of swing to encourage Brown and Garth, but this has been a fine start for England.

2nd over: England 6-0 (target 268; Lamb 2, Beaumont 0) Since you asked, England’s last Test win – against anyone, not just Australia – was at the Waca in 2013-14, a game that Kate Cross will remember fondly. She took six cheap top-order wickets during a terrific debut.

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Beaumont is not out! It was missing leg stump, just, so Australia lose a review. I thought it looked closer than that.

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Australia review for LBW against Beaumont! Kim Garth is on the money straight away, as she was in the first innings. Beaumont is beaten by a gorgeous outswinger and then survives a tight LBW appeal. Healy is very interested, Perry less so – but Healy goes for the review regardless. I think this is really close, probably umpire’s call.

1st over: England 5-0 (target 268; Lamb 1, Beaumont 0) Darcie Brown, who struggled at times in the first innings, spears the first ball of the innings down the leg side for four byes.

Emma Lamb takes a single to get off the mark, and not much else happens. It looks like Australia’s seamers, like England’s for most of the day, are going to attack the stumps.

Here come the players. There are 30 overs remaining tonight, weather permitting, then another 90-odd tomorrow – when tickets are free.

“Happily today is looking a lot better but I share the scars of 1989 with you (see 75th over),” writes David Hamblin. “We were quite optimistic as we walked in with Aus 276-6 overnight but then Steve Waugh scored 152 and almost doubled their total. Then it was the lbw Alderman show… think it was the year of multiple captains and merry-go-round of selections.”

They blend into one, understandably, but the summer of four captains was 1988. Then in 1989 they picked 29 players in six Ashes Tests. Tremendous.

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“Afternoon Rob,” writes Tor Turner. “I emailed your colleague early doors about what impact the predicted storms might have on strategy. I’m delighted that I now look a complete ninny - the sun continues to beam down, and while there have been some ominous clouds, we seem to be doing okay.

“Whichever way this goes, it’s been the best argument for more five-day women’s Tests - look at what brilliant play it’s brought us!”

Yes, five-day Tests have felt like a no-brainer for a while. Hopefully there’s a classic finish tomorrow to ram the point home.

Australia were cruising at 149 for one when Lauren Filer dismissed Ellyse Perry for the second time in the match. That sparked a meandering collapse that would have been worse but for a counter-attacking 50 from Alyssa Healy. They still have plenty of runs to work with – no team has chased over 200 in a women’s Test before – but a dressing-room full of serial winners is never going to be happy with an innings like that.

Ecclestone is only fourth woman to take ten wickets in a Test for England. She leads the team off, raising the ball to an adoring crowd. Her second-innings figures are outstanding: 30.5-7-63-5. And her match figures are extraordinary: 77.1-16-192-10.

No woman has bowled as many overs in a Test since 1992. It was a triumph of skill, concentration, fitness and the skin on her spinning finger.

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WICKET! Australia 257 all out (Brown LBW b Ecclestone 0)

Sophie Ecclestone wraps up the innings with a classic arm ball to the No11 Darcie Brown! It’s Ecclestone’s fifth wicket of the innings and her tenth of a memorable match. She is a superstar. And because of her artistry, England need 268 for a famous victory.

Sophie Ecclestone celebrates her fifer!
Sophie Ecclestone celebrates her fifer! Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images

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WICKET! Australia 257-9 (Healy c Lamb b Ecclestone 50)

Would you believe it. A full toss from Ecclestone is clipped straight to midwicket by Healy, who stomps off in fury. Ecclestone puts her hand over her head in mock-shame; out of nothing, England have taken two wickets in three balls.

78th over: Australia 257-8 (Healy 50, Garth 0) The ball before the wicket, Healy reached a fluent, purposeful half-century, her second in Tests, from 61 balls. In the circumstances, collective and personal, she has played beautifully.

WICKET! Australia 257-8 (King c Knight b Bell 9)

Lauren Bell comes into the attack for the first time today – and she strikes with her fifth ball. King, who has defended admirably, edges a lifting delivery straight to Knight at slip. That was a cracking piece of bowling from Bell, who has looked short on confidence for much of this game. Hopefully the wicket will change that.

Lauren Bell celebrates with teammates after dismissing Alana King for 9 runs.
Lauren Bell celebrates with teammates after dismissing Alana King for 9 runs. Photograph: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

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77th over: Australia 254-7 (Healy 47, King 9) Ecclestone starts with a maiden to the obdurate King. There are still loads of overs left in this game, around 120 weather permitting, so we’re on course for a result.

The players are back on the field. Just for a change, Sophie Ecclestone has the ball in her hand.

“Healy’s apparent return to form reminds me of a great one-liner about her husband Mitchell Starc,” writes Martin Gillam. “Starc’s brother Brandon is an Olympic high jumper, which led to this stiletto from Tim Paine: ‘It’s really easy to sledge Starc-y. You just remind him that he wasn’t the best athlete in his family growing up, and now he’s not the best athlete in his marriage.’”

And I thought Mark Waugh had it bad.

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Kate Cross speaks to Sky Sports

We’ve had a fantastic session. It’s been difficult to take wickets on this pitch so to come away with four is unbelievable. Sophie [Ecclestone] is a bowling machine – we’re calling her the Merlin! It’s in the balance. Australia will feel they need more runs because it’s still a good pitch. We haven’t spoken about a target but we feel like we’re in a pretty good place.

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“Five-day cricket, eh, Rob,” says Guy Hornsby. “It’s almost as if letting these brilliant players go over the same number as the men can give us the ability for the match to unfold at its own pace. More of this! England really have bowled themselves into a fantastic position, but need to somehow be patient while simultaneously trying to apply pressure. Those ambitious reviews showed their desperation to take the final wickets. Healy is surely the key here. I think England will fancy 275 but not a lot more.”

If that’s the case they don’t have much to work with: Australia lead by 264.

A general view of Trent Bridge.

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Tea

76th over: Australia 254-7 (Healy 47, King 9) King turns her back on a short ball from Filer that follows him and slams painfully into the body. She’s still at the crease and that’s all that matters for Australia, particularly with Healy scoring so freely. She back cuts Filer emphatically for four to move within three of a half-century. That’s tea!

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75th over: Australia 248-7 (Healy 42, King 9) Healy drives Ecclestone for a single to bring up a crucial fifty partnership from 85 balls. There should be time for one more over before tea.

In other news there are free tickets for tomorrow’s play on the Trent Bridge website, should you fancy telling Monday what to do with its 9-5.

“Afternoon Rob,” says Brian Withington. “Fourth rule of Jinx Club, after the three about not mentioning its existence, is never to speculate about the length of an Australian innings.”

I’m still scarred by the first innings here, from my first summer of Ashes cricket.

74th over: Australia 245-7 (Healy 39, King 9) There’s a big cheer from the home crowd as Lauren Filer returns to the attack. Whatever happens in the rest of this game, she has given England an almighty positive to take.

Alyssa Healy has never been bothered by extra pace. She pulls breezily for two – over the head of short midwicket but safe enough – and then rifles a straight drive for four. That’s a brilliant stroke. This has been a quietly courageous innings from Healy, 39 from 48 balls at a time when her team were in all sorts.

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73rd over: Australia 238-7 (Healy 32, King 9) The only vaguely attacking shot Healy has played against Ecclestone was off a rank bad ball. It’s a really intriguing contest between two of the greats of world cricket.

Make that shots plural. Ecclestone drifts outside leg stump, which allows Healy to a whirl a sweep round the corner for four. Australia lead by 248.

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72nd over: Australia 233-7 (Healy 27, King 9) King is playing an important role here, sticking around in support of Healy. She’s faced almost as many deliveries – 35 to 39 - for a third of Healy’s runs. In the circumstances, that’s just fine for Australia.

Sciver-Brunt falls over while bowling the last ball of a maiden to King. She leaves the field limping slightly, though she doesn’t seem particularly distresses.

“Afternoon Rob,” says Simon McMahon. “How many do you think England will feel confident about chasing? 250? 281? Let’s hope for an exciting finish anyway. In other news, Scotland look as though they are about to make it three wins from three in the World Cup qualifier by beating Oman in Bulawayo. The last-ball, one-wicket win over Ireland last Wednesday was quite something. Success in football and cricket? We’ll pay for this at some point I’m sure, so best just enjoy it while we can.”

71st over: Australia 233-7 (Healy 27, King 9) Ecclestone bowls her 27th over of the innings and her 73rd of the match. Healy still looks suspicious of Ecclestone after being done by the quicker ball in the first innings. She is beaten by a delightful delivery that curves in before bouncing past the edge, then tries to get off strike with a risky single that is turned down by King.

A high-class maiden, Ecclestone’s 15th of the match.

70th over: Australia 233-7 (Healy 27, King 9) Healy opens the face to glide Sciver-Brunt for three, which takes her to 27 from 33 balls. It’s been a typical Healy counter-attack, with one difference: this time, after three consecutive ducks, she was counter-attacking both for the team and herself.

69th over: Australia 228-7 (Healy 22, King 9) King edges Ecclestone wide of slip for four, despite the best efforts of the sprawling Cross by the boundary. This is turning into a useful partnership – 30 from 8.3 overs – with King playing a sensible supporting role.

68th over: Australia 224-7 (Healy 22, King 5) The introduction of Sciver-Brunt is a blow to Lauren Bell, who hasn’t bowled at all today. I’m sure Heather Knight came to that decision reluctantly on a human level, but Bell has struggled in this match and you could understand it if Knight feels she can’t trust her in a tight Ashes Test.

67th over: Australia 222-7 (Healy 21, King 4) Ecclestone has a big LBW appeal against Healy turned down by Anna Harris. I suspect it was missing leg, and Heather Knight decides not to risk one of the two remaining reviews. Replays confirm it’s the right decision.

A rare poor ball from Ecclestone is cut crisply for four by Healy, and then there’s another shout for LBw that is turned down. Knight goes for the review, a little reluctantly, and my instinct is that it’s a poor decision.

It was an unusual delivery from Ecclestone, which turned from off to leg, and because of that it was comfortably missing leg stump. England have only one review remaining.

66th over: Australia 217-7 (Healy 16, King 4) Nat Sciver-Brunt replaces Cross, who bowled a good six-over spell. Healy times her first ball through the covers for four, a shot of economical class. She’s looking good here, relaxed and fluent.

65th over: Australia 212-7 (Healy 11, King 4) Ecclestone gets his first crack at Healy, who she bowled second ball in the first innings. Healy is watchful, wary of landmines, but she defends well and takes a single off the last ball.

64th over: Australia 211-7 (Healy 10, King 4) Healy moves into double figures with an easy single off Cross. She’ll be feeling a lot better than she did 15 minutes ago.

King is beaten by a good one from Cross but defends the rest of the over with authority. As England found to their cost in the first innings, Australia bat very deep

63rd over: Australia 210-7 (Healy 9, King 4) King is surrounded by fielders, but the flipside of that is that there are gaps elsewhere. She gets off the mark with a stylish clip to the midwicket boundary when Ecclestone drifts onto leg stump.

Ecclestone will be desperate to bowl at Healy early in her innings. So far she hasn’t had the chance.

62nd over: Australia 206-7 (Healy 9, King 0) Healy gets her first boundary by thumping a poor ball from Cross through the covers. I’d imagine she’ll counter-attack, certainly against the seamers. She may have made three consecutive Test ducks, but England know how how dangerous she can be. Australia lead by 216.

Healy is not out! She whipped across the line at Cross and was hit on the pad, but replays confirm it would have missed leg stump. That wasn’t a great review from England, though you can understand them getting carried away in the circumstances.

Kate Cross unsuccessfully appeals for the wicket of Alyssa Healy.
Kate Cross unsuccessfully appeals for the wicket of Alyssa Healy. Photograph: Tim Goode/PA

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England review for LBW against Healy! I think it’s missing leg, umpire’s call at best for England, but I wouldn’t put the farm on it.

Updated

Thanks Megan, hello everyone. I’ll be honest, I thought much of this OBO stint would be spent discussing an Australian declaration. But now they are fighting for survival after a startling collapse: six wickets for 49 either side of lunch, including the last three for just three runs in the space of 12 balls.

61st over: Australia 198-6 (Healy 2, Sutherland 15) Ecclestone starts this over to Sutherland and she plays a couple of nice shots, albeit for no runs. She then tries to go over the top and throws away her wicket, which brings King to the crease. King is a decent batter, as we saw in the first innings, but she’s not in the team for her batting – we’re certainly into the bowlers now. Healy will need to control the innings from here. King takes no risks to start with against Ecclestone – there’s plenty of chirp from the fielders and she’s not letting it distract her. And that’s goodbye from me, I’ll hand you over to Rob Smyth!

Updated

WICKET! Sutherland c Wyatt b Ecclestone 15 (Australia 198-7)

Sutherland gets caught playing a bit of a wild shot and Wyatt makes up for her earlier dropped catch and things are falling apart very quickly for the Australians.

Danni Wyatt celebrates with Sophie Ecclestone after England pick up another wicket.
Danni Wyatt celebrates with Sophie Ecclestone after England pick up another wicket. Photograph: Gareth Copley/Getty Images
Out! Annabel Sutherland is gone for 15.
Out! Annabel Sutherland is gone for 15. Photograph: Molly Darlington/Reuters

Updated

60th over: Australia 198-6 (Healy 2, Sutherland 15) The stump mic picked up Beaumont saying that she doesn’t think the captain fancies a bat – it is an unusual move from Healy, but now she’s out in the middle earlier than she probably would have been expecting. She’s nearly gone first ball, the ball nips through and misses everything. It’s high drama now and every ball is heart in mouth stuff. Healy gets off the mark on the last ball of the over with a nice steer to third for two.

WICKET! Gardner c Knight b Cross 1 (Australia 196-6)

The ball goes flying off the edge of Gardner’s bat to second slip – after five dropped catches, England finally hold one!

Ashleigh Gardner is caught by Heather Knight in the slips, off the bowling of Kate Cross, as England grab another wicket.
Ashleigh Gardner is caught by Heather Knight in the slips, off the bowling of Kate Cross, as England grab another wicket. Photograph: Nigel Parker/Shutterstock

Updated

59th over: Australia 196-5 (Gardner 1, Sutherland 15) More Ecclestone - the woman is a machine. She’s doing a good job cramping Mooney up and it pays off – she cuts her off before she can reach her century. Gardner comes in before Healy, which is interesting.

WICKET! Mooney b Ecclestone 85 (Australia 195-5)

That ball turned a mile and went sailing off Mooney’s inside edge on to leg stump. She was so close to her first Test century, but it wasn’t to be.

Danni Wyatt celebrates with Sophie Ecclestone after she takes the wicket of Beth Mooney for 85.
Danni Wyatt celebrates with Sophie Ecclestone after she takes the wicket of Beth Mooney for 85. Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images

Updated

58th over: Australia 195-4 (Mooney 85, Sutherland 15) Cross resumes and Sutherland finds the gap through the leg side and gets her first boundary of this innings. Interestingly the commentators are talking about Sutherland as a replacement for Ellyse Perry, but I find that a strange thing to say when they’re playing at the same time. A replacement would surely be someone coming up through the domestic ranks who hasn’t cracked the Australian team yet. Cross picks up a couple of edges, but they can’t yield any wickets and instead they race away to the boundary.

57th over: Australia 183-4 (Mooney 85, Sutherland 3) Mooney gets another quick single from the first ball of the over to give Sutherland another shot to get off the mark. She nearly pierces the gap in the field, but a good save by Dunkley at short extra cover sends her darting back to her crease. There’s a chance for a catch on the last ball of the over backward of square from a Sutherland sweep, but Wyatt can’t hold on.

56th over: Australia 179-4 (Mooney 84, Sutherland 0) Mooney keeps things moving after the loss of the wicket and Sutherland looks to get off to a good start after her brilliant first innings. She’s content to defend while she gets settled into her position at the crease and bats out the rest of the over conservatively.

55th over: Australia 178-4 (Mooney 83, Sutherland 0) Ecclestone continues and Jones gets close to a stumping, but once again it’s not to be. Mooney eventually gets off strike with a sweep to fine leg. Jonassen thinks a sweep is a good idea, but she can’t pull it off and she has to go. Sutherland gets a promotion up the order.

WICKET! Jonassen b Ecclestone 14 (Australia 178-4)

Jonassen gets down to try to play a sweep shot and Ecclestone gets through her defences and takes out the stumps. She’s very happy with that one!

Sophie Ecclestone celebrates taking the wicket of Jess Jonassen.
Out! Sophie Ecclestone celebrates taking the wicket of Jess Jonassen. Photograph: Tim Goode/PA

Updated

54th over: Australia 177-3 (Mooney 83, Jonassen 14) Cross returns for the first time in a while and she’ll be hoping to replicate that dismissal of Litchfield earlier. Jonassen drives one down to deep cover for two, then follows it up with a very similar shot for another two. She is starting to look more settled at the crease now. Cross plays around a little with her length, trying to find the best way to unsettle Jonassen.

Updated

53rd over: Australia 173-3 (Mooney 83, Jonassen 10) Ecclestone overpitches one and Mooney moves her feet to it and takes it on perfectly, driving it past deep cover for four. Ecclestone tightens up her length and Mooney shifts back into defensive mode. She plays a nice little chip over the top, but it doesn’t yield any runs.

52nd over: Australia 169-3 (Mooney 79, Jonassen 10) Another over from Filer and Mooney looks to pierce the gap through the gully, but Knight cuts it off nicely. She turns it around the corner next ball for a nice single and gets Jonassen on strike, who pulls it to deep backward square. Mooney drives one to deep cover for two and they’re moving a bit faster and looking more comfortable against Filer now.

51st over: Australia 163-3 (Mooney 75, Jonassen 8) Ecclestone again and we have a spinning-related question from reader Alec.

Dear Megan

We were all in agony about Moeen Ali’s spinning finger at Edgbaston. Is this a problem any of the women spinners encounter? (It does seem to be associated with extra-long spells.)

Alec Hamilton

PS I used to live in Abergavenny, which has a local mountain called The Blorenge. Can anyone think of a rhyme for it?

Can anyone think of a similar situation? I think it’s another case of women not being given enough opportunities to play Tests for such an issue to arise.

50th over: Australia 163-3 (Mooney 75, Jonassen 8) So the DRS situation is that it’s available, but there’s no timer. Not really sure how that works, maybe the umpire just counts? Or they decide on vibes whether it feels like it’s been too long to make that little T signal? I guess we’ll find out! Filer is back to bowl and she looks like she wants to take a few more big wickets. Mooney is having none of it though, she digs one out and plays it to deep point to get herself off strike. Jonassen finishes the over with a delightful pull shot to the boundary for four.

49th over: Australia 158-3 (Mooney 74, Jonassen 4) Well lunch has been and gone and the skies are still blue, so maybe Rachael Haynes was right with her approach and it is me who is wrong. Shocking I know, that a very recently retired former Australian vice-captain might have a better idea than some woman writing a blog in an oodie. But there you are.

The other big news from the middle is that there is some kind of power failure and firstly they said there was no DRS, but now they’re saying there is. I’ll see if I can figure out more about what that’s about in a minute. Just a single off that Ecclestone over.

Jess Jonassen ducks a short ball from Ecclestone.
Jess Jonassen ducks a short ball from Ecclestone. Photograph: Steve Poole/ProSports/Shutterstock

Updated

Reader Kim definitely has food on the brain – good timing for the lunch break!

Good afternoon Megan

I was half listening to TMS before the game and I think it was Dani Wyatt being interviewed and she was talking about Sophie Ecclestone (I think) doing a wonderful job of being in charge of bangers on their coach in to the ground. And being male, pale and stale, for which I humbly apologise, I naturally assumed the bangers were sausages and I was super impressed at the superior female organisational skills, enabling the handing out of sausages in the team coach, something we lesser male cricketers can dream of but could not possibly coordinate. And then I realised she meant banging tunes, and felt utterly deflated. Anyway, don’t you think sausages on buses, or indeed minibuses, would be a marvellous thing for all cricketers on all journeys, regardless of gender or cricketing ability?

As a vegetarian, I’m not super invested in sausages, but I can certainly see where Kim is coming from. And my eight-year-old daughter, who is a very keen cricketer, would definitely be on board with pre-match sausages as a tradition, so maybe we can give it a go in the U11 girls this summer and let you know how it goes?

Another good little behind the scenes moment from the Australian team – it’s great to get these little glimpses into life in the team.

Interesting comments from Rachael Haynes during the lunch break, saying that Australia can’t afford to think about the weather and have to play like they’ll get the whole day in. Being so recently out of the team, I can only assume that’s a pretty accurate representation of what the Australians are thinking. Personally, I’d want to see them speed things up a little and get enough runs on the board to keep the weather from spoiling things, but it doesn’t look like they’re particularly keen on that approach.

An email from reader Phil entitled ‘Bloody cricket!’ which is a sentiment I can always get behind.

Evening Megan,

I’m finding it hard to get to get much sleep at the moment. Two thoroughly engrossing Ashes series happening in tandem and me trying to juggle early starts at work, time differences and family commitments. Totally worth it though.

Keep up the magnificent work

Cheers

Phil

It’s an unfortunate occupational hazard of being an Australian sports fan, these near-constant late nights. I hope you get a break from work to get some sleep soon Phil!

If you missed that Filer dismissal of McGrath, check it out here, it was an absolute peach of a ball!

48th over: Australia 157-3 (Mooney 73, Jonassen 4) Filer is back and she overcooks the first ball of the over, so desperate is she to make something happen for the third over in a row. You can see the intention in every ball she bowls, but sometimes that intention verges into desperation. She throws in a short ball to Jonassen midway through the over and she looks pretty happy about it. The next ball Jonassen plays a nice punch off the back foot for two to get herself off the mark. Then she drives a nice one down the ground for another two to finish the over. And that’s lunch!

47th over: Australia 153-3 (Mooney 73, Jonassen 0) We’re back to the lengthy-named Ecclestone and Mooney sweeps the second ball of the over for a much-needed two. She’s continuing to hold the hopes of the Australians in her hands, but she doesn’t appear to be feeling the pressure too badly.

46th over: Australia 151-3 (Mooney 71, Jonassen 0) We start the over with that huge wicket of McGrath. Filer can’t follow it up with an equally good ball though, she loses control and bowls a very wild, wide ball that’s way too full. The next one is much better and Jonassen plays a back foot defensive shot to get herself out of trouble. This is a fascinating battle – Filer has just completely changed the momentum of this Test in the past few overs. She switches to around the wicket for the final ball of the over and finishes with her second consecutive wicket maiden.

WICKET! McGrath b Filer 1 (Australia 151-3)

Wow, that was a sensational ball from Filer. She looked like she was going to fall over during the run up, but she knew what she was doing and it was the perfect line and length. McGrath’s stumps go flying and she has to head back to the pavilion.

45th over: Australia 151-2 (Mooney 71, McGrath 1) A quick dash from Mooney to start the over and gives McGrath her first look at Knight. Her first ball to McGrath is very wide and McGrath looks at it almost disdainfully and walks away. She likes the look of the next one better and drives it to mid on for a single to get off the mark.

44th over: Australia 149-2 (Mooney 70, McGrath 0) Filer comes on for her first over of the day and gets straight into her race walking run up style – it looks a bit strange, but it clearly works for her! Perry is watchful and well she should be – Filer manages to cramp her up and get her chopping on. She almost gets through the defences of McGrath immediately, but McGrath manages to dig it out and defend her stumps well.

WICKET! Perry b Filer 25 (Australia 149-2)

Just when Perry was looking like she was going to make another big score, she chops on from a back of a length ball from Filer – who gets Perry’s wicket for the second time in the Test.

Lauren Filer celebrates the big wicket of Ellyse Perry!
Lauren Filer celebrates the big wicket of Ellyse Perry! Photograph: James Gill/Danehouse/Getty Images

Updated

43rd over: Australia 149-1 (Mooney 70, Perry 25) Another over for Knight – and why not? The last one was good and could have brought a wicket if Jones had held that catch. There’s a big shout from Jones on the third ball of the over, but no one else is much interested. Knight is getting plenty of flight on the ball, but eventually Mooney finds one she likes and brings up the 50 partnership.

42nd over: Australia 147-1 (Mooney 68, Perry 25) Mel Jones says in commentary that it’s very hot out there and I have no reason to believe Mel Jones would ever lie. Beth Mooney is looking fairly red in the face as well – she is quite prone to heatstroke, so something to keep an eye on. Sciver-Brunt has tightened up her line and length and she’s not offering the batters much to work with at all.

41st over: Australia 146-1 (Mooney 67, Perry 25) Ooh, this is exciting – Heather Knight comes on to bowl for the first time today! Mooney approaches her cautiously to start, getting her eye in before cutting one to deep cover for a single. Knight is rocking the Alana King ‘bowling in sunnies’ look and it’s pretty good one. There’s an edge and a chance for the keeper, but Jones can’t hold it and the ball sails down to third and the batters pick up two runs. A decent over from Knight, with a good chance from it.

40th over: Australia 141-1 (Mooney 66, Perry 21) Mooney starts the over with a nice shot to deep backward square for two as Sciver-Brunt works to tighten up her length. The next ball is better, but then she loses a bit of control and Mooney pounces again, playing it to deep cover for a single. Perry gets in on the action with a flick to deep backward square for two.

39th over: Australia 136-1 (Mooney 63, Perry 19) Perry leans back and plays a lovely late cut through third for two – she’s looking very comfortable out there, with no signs of urgency at this stage, despite the weather forecast.

38th over: Australia 134-1 (Mooney 63, Perry 17) Mooney gets an edge away for four past third to push her score past 60. A couple of balls later, she drives one to deep point for two to make this the ‘scoring-est’ over for quite some time. No more runs after that though, they’re not prepared to go too crazy.

37th over: Australia 128-1 (Mooney 57, Perry 17) Perry plays a beautiful sweep for four – an unusual shot from her, but you wouldn’t know it from watching her play it! She’s content with just the boundary from the over.

36th over: Australia 124-1 (Mooney 57, Perry 13) Sciver-Brunt returns for her second over – it’s a fairly tight one and Perry and Mooney each manage a single from it.

35th over: Australia 122-1 (Mooney 56, Perry 12) A little break for some drinks and we’re back into it. Ecclestone is not willing to give me any relief from typing Ecclestone and just keeps going with her spell. Jones tries for another stumping and the umpires take a look again, but no one seems to particularly think it’s out. It’s a maiden for Ecclestone.

34th over: Australia 122-1 (Mooney 56, Perry 12) A new bowler now, with Nat Sciver-Brunt on to bowl, replacing Cross. She’s immediately into the action – Mooney smashes one straight back at her and there’s a catching chance, but she puts it down. Mooney immediately cuts one away to get off strike and out of danger and Perry also picks up a single two balls later. Jones appeals for a stumping on Mooney late in the over and the umpire calls for a review. Mooney does a good job in getting her foot back and they can’t claim their second wicket just yet.

33rd over: Australia 120-1 (Mooney 55, Perry 11) The sky is still looking very blue, but there are definitely some scattered clouds beginning to gather. I’ll keep an eye on that as best I can for you. Ecclestone just keeps on going, she seems like she’d happily bowl all day. Perry pushes a length ball to deep point for two and then defends to finish the over.

32nd over: Australia 117-1 (Mooney 54, Perry 9) Perry almost hits a ball straight into Mooney’s feet, but Mooney manages to dodge it and it’s Ecclestone who cuts it off to keep it to just a single. Mooney plays a nice shot to deep cover for another single to keep the runs ticking over.

31st over: Australia 115-1 (Mooney 53, Perry 8) Mooney starts the over by bringing up her 50 and the eases back. It looks like a few clouds are starting to drift in and a little bit of a breeze appears to be creeping in as well.

FIFTY! Beth Mooney

Finally Mooney gets the space she’s looking for and sweeps one around the corner to the boundary to bring up her half century.

30th over: Australia 111-1 (Mooney 49, Perry 8) Mooney looks like she’s got the first ball of the over away, but the field cuts it off and she has to wait to reach her milestone. Cross is bowling a really good line to the left hander, she doesn’t have many scoring options open to her. Eventually she finds a little bit of space near square leg and manages a single – the only run of the over.

29th over: Australia 110-1 (Mooney 48, Perry 8) Perry plays a truly beautiful shot for her first boundary, a sensational cover drive that glides across the grass to the rope.

28th over: Australia 106-1 (Mooney 48, Perry 4) Cross resumes to Perry and now that she’s off the mark, she’s playing with more freedom. She’s such a stylish batter, it really is a joy to watch her drive for a single. Mooney has taken on the more cautious role now, defending as she approaches her fifty.

27th over: Australia 105-1 (Mooney 48, Perry 3) Another over from Ecclestone and Perry continues with her defence. Finally, on the last ball of the over she gets off the mark – it’s nearly a boundary, but Beaumont runs all the way to the boundary to save it.

26th over: Australia 102-1 (Mooney 48, Perry 0) The Australians have gone back into their shells a bit since the loss of Litchfield. Very defensive shots being played at the moment – it’s not until late in the over that Mooney finds a length she likes, driving it to deep cover for two.

25th over: Australia 100-1 (Mooney 46, Perry 0) Ecclestone resumes and Mooney guides one over mid wicket for a single to bring up the 100 for Australia. A half appeal for LBW on Perry midway through the over, but no one is too interested. Ecclestone is tossing them up nicely – getting above the batters’ eyeline, but Perry isn’t tempted into any silly moves.

24th over: Australia 99-1 (Mooney 45, Perry 0) Mooney takes two off the first ball of the over, driving it to deep backward point. A single off the next ball gets Litchfield back on strike, approaching her fifty. Litchfield can’t get her maiden Test half century, bowled on 46, but it brings Perry to the crease. She plays her shots very patiently to see out the over.

Updated

WICKET! Litchfield b Cross 46 (Australia 99-1)

Once again Litchfield is out not playing a shot – this one is much worse than the first innings though. Cross bowls a very good length ball and Litchfield makes a poor decision to leave and is clean bowled.

23rd over: Australia 96-0 (Mooney 42, Litchfield 46) Litchfield gets the opportunity now after a few quick strokes from Mooney brought her up to the same score. On the third ball of the over, she finds a ball she takes a fancy to – it’s an uncontrolled shot in the air, but it lands safely and trickles to the boundary. Dunkley and Beaumont are under the lids around the bat and no doubt they’re hoping to get in the youngster’s head.

22nd over: Australia 92-0 (Mooney 42, Litchfield 42) Taking a little bit of time here while the physio sees to Cross, who appears to have injured her hand while dropping that catch last over. Fortunately it’s not her bowling hand and she’s able to continue her spell. Her length is good to start the over, but on the fourth ball, she misses her line a little and Mooney has no issues guiding it through the covers for four. She enjoys it so much, that she does it again two balls later.

21st over: Australia 84-0 (Mooney 34, Litchfield 42) Ecclestone comes on from the other end – no surprises there, she was the pick of the bowlers in Australia’s first innings. Litchfield doesn’t look troubled, she isn’t playing huge shots, but she’s defending very comfortably and waiting for an opportunity to come her way. But she slips up on the fourth ball of the over and hits it straight to Cross at short extra cover – fortunately for Litchfield, Cross puts the catch down and she gets a life. She plays out a maiden from Ecclestone.

20th over: Australia 84-0 (Mooney 34, Litchfield 42) Cross gets us underway and Mooney starts with an immediate single to get Litchfield on strike. Litchfield is a little more cautious, defending back for three balls before taking a single of her own. No signs of concern about these looming storms just yet, just easing into the day to start with.

Here’s how the pitch is looking for day four – you’ll spot the beautiful blue sky Tor referred to in the background also!

Tor Tuner also has some concerns about the weather - those looming storms are certainly causing some worries!

Morning Megan,

It’s starting to get busier here at Trent Bridge, and right now the weather is incredible. Local sales of sun cream must be through the roof.

I hate to mention the dreaded “r” word, but prediction is storms from 1pm, so we’re looking at possibly no play - or a lot less play - after lunch. How do you reckon that changes the Aussie strategy?

Tor Turner

Good question – I’d expect to see an uptick in scoring rate from Mooney and Litchfield with a view to putting as many runs on the board as possible and building a lead very quickly so they can have tomorrow to try to bowl England out. I don’t think either team is thinking about a draw right now.

An email from a reader with the fantastic name of John Starbuck with some important weather news.

Megan,

Good morning and welcome to the OBO (is this your debut?). One thing we need to reckon on is the prospect of losing the entire second session to thunderstorms, making the draw a little more likely. If this happens, is it two points each?

Cheers,

John Starbuck

It’s not my debut John, but thank you for the welcome! I’d probably say I’m the Jess Jonassen of the Guardian OBO team – I’ll leave you to decide how that metaphor works.

While this Test is going on, there is also an Australia A v England A series happening. Despite Australia’s well-publicised depth, it may interest you to know that England A have won the first two T20s in the series pretty decisively – by 74 runs and five wickets respectively. But one positive for Australia has been the return of Tayla Vlaeminck from a stress fracture in the navicular bone of her right foot – my netball / cricket crossover girlies will recognise that injury from the season it stole from Diamonds’ captain Liz Watson. It’s a nasty one. Read all about Vlaeminck’s recovery and return on the Cricket Australia website.

The counterpunch from England’s social team is this compilation of every Beaumont boundary in her record-breaking innings.

This is a nice little behind the scenes snapshot of Sutherland returning to the Australian room after scoring her century – a huge moment for her.

If you’d rather read more about Tammy Beaumont’s magnificent knock, this piece from Raf Nicholson is a beauty.

While you’re getting yourself ready for the start of play, why not read Geoff Lemon on the unexpected fallibility of the Australians yesterday? Is Alyssa Healy’s inexperience in Test captaincy starting to show? Drop me an email or send me a tweet to let me know your thoughts on the situation.

Preamble

Well, well, well. It seems we have a five-day Test on our hands folks. There was some doubt beforehand that it would get to five days, but unless things go wild very quickly today, I think we’re getting to day five, which is an incredibly exciting prospect.

Tammy Beaumont was impeccable for England in her batting performance, she put on a masterclass out there. Australia, in an unusual moment for them, just didn’t seem to have the answer with their bowlers for much of England’s innings. Kim Garth was not particularly memorable on debut – she will hope for a stronger bowling performance in the second innings.

Speaking of second chances, Phoebe Litchfield seemed to grab hers by the throat yesterday and there is much excitement brewing about what she’s got in store for us today. We’re just under an hour away from play getting underway, so start warming up, make sure you have your dinner / snacks ready to go and clear away any distractions while you can.

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