Women's Ashes

[Durhamfootman]

test match is a must win, but that feels as unlikely as Newcastle Utd not getting relegated next season, tbh

[alfie]

After that cleanup of the ODIs , Australia will be understandably confident re the Test Match. Don't know what has happened to the England women ? Even if the 75 all out is just a bad hair day , they seem to have dropped off rather dramatically lately - especially the bats...

Is it a drop of from England, or is Woman's cricket improving and England has yet to take the next step?

Well the Australian team might be improving ; but England results against other teams suggest there isn't any dramatic shift , just general gradual movement perhaps. Couple of years back England were roughly on a par with Australia (last "ashes" event in Australia was pretty tight) so I'd say these three games - and particularly the last - represent a big fall for the home team. Won't write them off as rubbish (sack the coach etc) just yet but they'd want to present a better effort in the Test and t20 matches or questions will be asked...

[GarlicJam]

With the World Cup action, this test has snuck up on me.

First ball soon. Aus has won the toss and will bat, that little bit more pressure goes onto England.

[andy]

Given the forecast, can only see this being a draw

[sussexpob]

Is it a drop of from England, or is Woman's cricket improving and England has yet to take the next step?

Sarah Taylor's horrendous form this year makes a big difference. England seem to require a lot from her to score big and quickly, because only really Sciver after that is a reliable power player, the rest like to anchor an innings at the top, and supplement it with extremely ropey cameos down the order. When it works, someone like Fran or even Laura Marsh can slap you a quickfire 20, and if 3-4 players down the order do that, it works. If 3-4 players get out quickly, now Taylor isnt producing at the top, it leaves the other consolidators either batting you out of the game, or you are getting bowled over quickly.

I very much hope that Taylor's complete nosedive in form, after two outstanding years, is not linked to her previous battles with mental illness. It would be a tragedy for women's cricket if she had to step away from the game again, she is such a fantastic player and role model for England's women.

[andy]

48-1 after 14

[sussexpob]

Healy seems to be going apesh*t.... England's Ecclestone apparently is down injured already after one over.

[sussexpob]

In fact Ecclestone has left the pitch midover....just what you want on the first morning of a test, on a pitch noted to help spinners.

[andy]

50 for Alyssa Healy

[andy]

Big criticism for the state of the pitch being used here...a huge footmark outside a left hander's off stump...dosent look good for the first morming of a test match

[sussexpob]

Healy bowled

[andy]

huge wicket just before lunch!

[andy]

Dosen't get any easier though witj Ellyse Perry at the crease now..

[andy]

Knight drops Lanning!

[andy]

Looking ominous for england already...already looking hard to score and OZ only 2 down..