Tammy Beaumont led England’s fightback with an outstanding maiden Test hundred as the home side closed Day Two of the multi-format Ashes series opener on 218/2, 255 behind Australia’s imposing first innnings total.
Beaumont, playing on a Trent Bridge ground she now calls home domestically, became only the second Englishwoman to score centuries in all three international formats, sharing a partnership of 115 with Heather Knight.
An aggressive late cameo from Nat Sciver-Brunt, who ended the day unbeaten on 41, leaves England well placed to continue to whittle down Australia’s lead.
Earlier in the day, Annabel Sutherland compiled a maiden Test century of her own as England’s bowlers toiled against the Australian lower order.
The hosts had began the day hoping to quickly extinguish Australia’s innings, but met formidable opposition in the form of Sutherland, showcasing her considerable batting ablity from number eight with the fastest ton by an Australian in women’s Test cricket. The pick of England’s bowlers by a distance was Sophie Ecclestone, who took a first Test five-for.
Relive all the action from the Women’s Ashes:
Women’s Ashes: England vs Australia
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STUMPS! ENG 218/2 Tammy Beaumont goes to a hundred late in the day after leading fightback
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OUT! A clever bit of bowling from Ash Gardner ends the England captain’s innings on 57
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England captain Heather Knight follows Tammy Beaumont to 50 as they build partnership
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TEA: England start solidly and reach 68-1 at the interval, trailing by 405
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OUT! Annabel Sutherland’s fine day continues as she gets Australia’s first wicket
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End of innings! Australia are ALL OUT for 473 as Sophie Ecclestone takes five
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OUT! Sophie Ecclestone ends Kim Garth’s resistance to break ninth-wicket stand of 95
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LUNCH: Unbeaten Sutherland hundred lifts Australia to imposing 439/8
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Annabel Sutherland brings up her maiden Test ton as Australia build a significant first innings score
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England host Australia in the only test match of the Women’s Ashes at Trent Bridge
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Tourists won the toss and elected to bat
Tammy Beaumont hits superb century as England fight back in Ashes
19:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Tammy Beaumont’s maiden Test century helped England rebound after their understaffed bowlers were made to toil by Annabel Sutherland’s unbeaten 137 on day two of this Women’s Ashes series opener.
Beaumont rode her luck but a fine 100 not out lifted England to 218 for two at stumps, sharing a 115 stand with captain Heather Knight, who made a composed 57, after Australia had posted a formidable total of 473.
Sophie Ecclestone claimed a maiden Test five-for, a fitting reward after 46.2 overs of exertion as she took the onus with Nat Sciver-Brunt unable to fulfil her bowling duties due to a jarred right knee.
England’s premier all-rounder fielded then batted, showing no sign of the minor injury with a fluent 41 not out, although her omission from bowling was understood to be precautionary at the outset of this multi-format series.
Tammy Beaumont hits superb century as England fight back in Ashes
Heather Knight speaks to Sky Sports about England’s day
18:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle
“Really proud [of Tammy Beaumont],” the England captain says. “She had a really tricky period against leg spin in the middle but fought through that. She’s joined the club of a hundred in all formats, which she reminded me of [Knight is the other Englishwoman to have achieved it]. It’s hard work being out in the field for so long but the concentration and skill level she showed was outstanding.
“We spoke about having a real clear plan about how we were going to score. There are not too many demons in the pitch. It was just about getting in and playing every ball on its merits. If you target the pads and set straight fields, it can be quite hard to score, but we spoke about being really decisive about the balls we want to attack.
“You are so used in white ball cricket to feeling bat on ball, so it is hard to not follow the ball. It is trying to be really disciplined about the balls you want to attack. That movement and intent to score helps you when you are both playing and leaving.”
STUMPS! England 218-2, trail by 255 (Tammy Beaumont 100*, Nat Sciver-Brunt 41*)
18:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A much needed afternoon of excellent batting from England, having let things slip a little in the field this morning to allow Australia to build their total. Tammy Beaumont was excellent, getting up and running as the Australian bowlers afforded a few too many freebies first up, and then used the crease typically well to manipulate scoring options and get to a first Test century. She had a bit of luck, Australia electing not to review after Beaumont popped one up to short leg via the inside edge and boot, but it’s been pretty close to faultless otherwise. Good supporting hands from Heather Knight and Nat Sciver-Brunt, off to a bit of a flyer and ready to kick on tomorrow, and England are very much in the game.
The pitch looks flat, but there’s plenty of time left in the Test – remember that for the first time on English soil, we’ve got five days to play.
STUMPS! England 218-2, trail by 255 (Tammy Beaumont 100*, Nat Sciver-Brunt 41*)
18:41 , Harry Latham-Coyle
England 218-2 (53), Nat Sciver-Brunt 41, Tammy Beaumont 100, Jess Jonassen 0-3 (2) (trail by 255)
18:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Four balls to Nat Sciver-Brunt, two to Tammy Beaumont, and that is that for Day Two at Trent Bridge. Tammy Beaumont takes the applause of the home supporters as she leads her partner off after a fantastic first Test ton that has led England’s fightback.
100 for Tammy Beaumont! England 217-2 (52), Nat Sciver-Brunt 41, Tammy Beaumont 100, Annabel Sutherland 1-28 (7) (trail by 256)
18:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Beaumont pulls into the midwicket gap, the crowd urging the ball on as Alana King comes around…and gathers safely five yards in from the boundary. Beaumont to 98.
Annabel Sutherland makes her wait for the final ball of the over…and Beaumont gets back for two to seal a brilliant hundred! Her first in Test cricket – she’s just the second English woman to ton up in all three formats!
A quite outstanding knock from the opener, 16 fours included in her 152 balls as she carries through the form shown by a double hundred in the warm-up game. There will be no anxious tossing and turning tonight, the helmet off, the bat raised, saluting the crowd after scrambling back for a second with a dive.
England 213-2 (51.4), Nat Sciver-Brunt 41, Tammy Beaumont 96, Annabel Sutherland 1-24 (6.4) (trail by 260)
18:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Chopped over second slip! A sheepish grin from Nat Sciver-Brunt after flashing hard at a short ball outside off, a big top edge skipping away to the deep third fence.
A single brings Beaumont on strike on 96.
England 208-2 (51.2), Nat Sciver-Brunt 35, Tammy Beaumont 96, Annabel Sutherland 1-19 (6.2) (trail by 265)
18:33 , Harry Latham-Coyle
More bowling tweaks from Australia – Annabel Sutherland will have one more over before the close to try and further decorate a day that has already included a maiden Test ton.
England 208-2 (51), Nat Sciver-Brunt 35, Tammy Beaumont 96, Jess Jonassen 0-2 (1) (trail by 265)
18:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Two more to come tonight after this one. Tammy Beaumont won’t much fancy a night in the land of nod in the nineties, but can’t quite capitalise on a long hop from Jonassen to start, tugging it right at the deep midwicket fielder.
Back on strike after a Sciver-Brunt single, Beaumont goes down to sweep but can’t beat the fielder.
England 206-2 (49), Nat Sciver-Brunt 34, Tammy Beaumont 95, Alana King 0-35 (8) (trail by 267)
18:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle
And England are fast eroding into Australia’s lead as the shadows lengthen. A misfield at mid-on gives Beaumont three when there only should have been one, and the middle of Nat Sciver-Brunt’s bat is utilised on the offensive twicee, first for a couple to leg and then for a crunching cut that races over the outfield.
There’s more where that came from – Sciver-Brunt rocks back and brings the hammer down again. You just can’t afford to offer her anything of that length.
Alyssa Healy is prompted into a change, and the introduction of the third of her spin triumvirate. Jess Jonassen typically ties things up with her accurate left-armers from around the wicket.
England 193-2 (49), Nat Sciver-Brunt 24, Tammy Beaumont 92, Ashleigh Gardner 1-47 (8) (trail by 280)
18:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle
What a sound! A moment of aural pleasure as Nat Sciver-Brunt, having already planted Ashleigh Gardner over midwicket once in the over, repeats the stroke, connecting much more cleanly – the titilating timber’s timbre cooed for by the crowd.
A crisp cover drive takes a sliver of a fielder’s finger on its way to the boundary to make it three fours from the over. No thought of battening down the hatches for England’s batters even with the close approaching.
England 181-2 (48), Nat Sciver-Brunt 12, Tammy Beaumont 92, Alana King 0-22 (7) (trail by 293)
18:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Sciver-Brunt gets the silly point fielder leaping as she cuts firmly. That’s a nice return from King, though, giving it plenty of air and fizz as she twirls in.
Spin at both ends for the first time as Ash Gardner continues.
England 178-2 (47.1), Nat Sciver-Brunt 9, Tammy Beaumont 92, Alana King 0-19 (6.1) (trail by 295)
18:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle
It appears the option late in the day for Alyssa Healy will be Alana King, who looked to just be starting to find her consistency before being hauled out of the attack earlier. Healy initially deploys a deep midwicket, but reconsiders, bringing that fielder up and challenging Sciver-Brunt to take a slog on against King’s leg-spin.
And that’s a ripper of a start, dipping, spinning, and narrowly missing the outside edge!
England 178-2 (47), Nat Sciver-Brunt 9, Tammy Beaumont 92, Ashleigh Gardner 1-35 (7) (trail by 295)
18:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Alyssa Healy has a long chat with Ashleigh Gardner before the off-spinner starts her next over, the pair close friends and long-time teammates for New South Wales and the Sydney Sixers, as well as internationally, of course. There will be six more overs after this one tonight, light permitting – I’m surprised that we are yet to see Jess Jonassen, and you’d have thought Darcie Brown’s extra pace might been worth a go early on against Nat Sciver-Brunt.
Edged, but between keeper and slip! Another chance gone for Australia, Gardner cahnging the angle to come around the wicket and immediately drawing an error from Tammy Beaumont. The ball is pushed across the batter, who plays at it with hard hands, but her nick is perfectly placed to beat Healy with Jess Jonassen unable to get across to her stronger left side in time at first slip. Jonassen slaps the turf as Beaumont goes into the nineties.
England 173-2 (46), Nat Sciver-Brunt 8, Tammy Beaumont 88, Kim Garth 0-40 (14) (trail by 300)
18:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A pulled four takes Beaumont to 87, Kim Garth in the sixth over of her spell and perhaps starting to flag just a little. The lights are on at Trent Bridge as the evening cloud rolls in, with a slightly gloomy look to proceedings as Nat Sciver-Brunt produces a forceful shot off the back foot that Ellyse Perry does very well to corral at mid-off.
England 167-2 (45), Nat Sciver-Brunt 7, Tammy Beaumont 83, Ashleigh Gardner 1-30 (6) (trail by 306)
18:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle
This is Tammy Beaumont in full flow now, the opener so good at manipulating the crease with her footwork. She gets down and lap sweeps Gardner, scooping her up through fine leg for two, before getting a half-yard down the track to chisel out a drive that canters through the covers for four. This is now Beaumont’s domestic base, of course, after a winter move to the Blaze – and she’s looked right at home at Trent Bridge this afternoon.
England 160-2 (44), Nat Sciver-Brunt 7, Tammy Beaumont 76, Kim Garth 0-34 (13) (trail by 313)
18:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Kim Garth keeps things tighter, Nat Sciver-Brunt not fancying a go at a couple of outswingers that land fuller of length. Just a single from it.
England 159-2 (43), Nat Sciver-Brunt 7, Tammy Beaumont 75, Ashleigh Gardner 1-23 (5) (trail by 314)
18:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Sciver-Brunt always looks a better player when trying to go on the offensive, such a natural ball-striker who should have the freedom to do exactly that in this England set-up. She does not time her slog sweep well but still gets two over midwicket’s head, trying to disperse a few of those close catchers by forcing Ash Gardner on the defensive.
England 155-2 (42.1), Nat Sciver-Brunt 4, Tammy Beaumont 74, Ashleigh Gardner 1-19 (4.1) (trail by 318)
17:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Supreme! That’s some way to get off the mark, Nat Sciver-Brunt planting the front leg down the track and driving most magnificently straight of extra cover.
England 151-2 (42), Nat Sciver-Brunt 0, Tammy Beaumont 74, Kim Garth 0-33 (12) (trail by 322)
17:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Australia would love at least one more in the next half-hour or so, sensing their opportunity to strike before the close. “Great skills, Kimmy,” Alyssa Healy chirrups in Tammy Beaumont’s ear as her seamer finds a little bit of nibble both ways and the England opener plays out a maiden.
England 151-2 (41), Nat Sciver-Brunt 0, Tammy Beaumont 74, Ashleigh Gardner 1-15 (4) (trail by 322)
17:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Nat Sciver-Brunt is greeted by a short leg and catching mid-on. She goes hard at her first ball, clothing it into the surface out to mid-off, and blocks the remainder of the over out.
Gardner’s shoulders have just lifted slightly with that wicket, bouncing back to her fielding position as she concludes her set of six. She’s looked Australia’s liveliest threat ever since her introduction and that was a canny bit of spin bowling to get rid of the England skipper.
OUT! Heather Knight c †Healy b Gardner 57 (91b 9×4 0x6) SR: 62.63, England 151/2 (40.2)
17:49 , Harry Latham-Coyle
But she’s gone next ball!
Smart bowling from Ash Gardner, taking the pace off a little, giving it a bit of air but enough rip to find a bit of late dip. The lack of turn then does for Knight, covering the angles with bat and pad, and a thin nick is taken cleanly by a whooping Alyssa Healy as her side get a much-neded breakthrough.
England 151-1 (40.1), Heather Knight 57, Tammy Beaumont 74, Ashleigh Gardner 0-15 (3.1) (trail by 322)
17:48 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Reverse, reverse! Disco stylings from the England captain, hands and feet moving in rhythm as she produces another of those lovely sweeps through backward point.
England 147-1 (40), Heather Knight 53, Tammy Beaumont 74, Kim Garth 0-33 (11) (trail by 326)
17:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Perhaps recognising that shift in intent, Alyssa Healy has spread the field, pushing out a couple of boundary riders. Deep cover is employed to cut off a Heather Knight drive. Garth is tidy enough, completing her over for the concession of three.
England 144-1 (39), Heather Knight 50, Tammy Beaumont 74, Ashleigh Gardner 0-11 (3) (trail by 329)
17:44 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A career best in England whites for Tammy Beaumont, surpassing the 70 she made in that slightly dreary Test in Sydney in 2017. A sashay down and elegant clip through a legside gap is her 13th four and perhaps a sign that these two might look to put the pressure on the Australian bowlers with stumps about 40 minutes away.
50 for Heather Knight! England 138-1 (38), Heather Knight 50, Tammy Beaumont 68, Kim Garth 0-30 (10) trail by 335)
17:41 , Harry Latham-Coyle
50 up for the England skipper – Heather Knight goes to her fourth Test fifty slightly streakily, cutting a ball that is too close to her just out of reach of first slip. But that’s a good knock from Knight so far, bringing up her half-century in 85 balls with eight fours. That’s also the 100 partnership between these two, building along breezily at north of three-and-a-half over as they begin to climb towards Australia’s first innings score.
England 133-1 (37), Heather Knight 46, Tammy Beaumont 67, Ashleigh Gardner 0-5 (2) (trail by 340)
17:36 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A chance! Yep, there’s a fine edge as Heather Knight drives but Alyssa Healy can’t snare it! Ash Gardner has started brilliantly, again tossing one up in the rough outside off stump and drawing the stroke from Knight away from her body. The edge is thick enough take it away from Healy’s gloves and the ricochet falls out of reach of Jess Jonassen at slip.
Knight therefore tries a different tack, flipping the bat over and reverse sweeping accurately for four.
Here is the life that Tammy Beaumont got earlier as Australia chose not to review:
England 128-1 (36), Heather Knight 42, Tammy Beaumont 66, Kim Garth 0-25 (9) (trail by 345)
17:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A bit of a fright for Heather Knight as a ball keeps low outside off, her jab at it bouncing up off a bottom edge. Knight briefly considers extending a hand but wisely reconsiders, placing it back on the bat handle to instead tap it away with the blade. Leicestershire’s Louis Kimber fell like that recently – out obstructing the field after a foolish reflex reaction.
A wider ball that does get up is punched between slip and gully for a couple.
England 124-1 (35), Heather Knight 38, Tammy Beaumont 66, Ashleigh Gardner 0-0 (1) (trail by 349)
17:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Encouraging from Gardner, forcing through five balls to keep Beaumont tied up and then tossing one up with a bit more flight. It finds a bit of bite outside off, beating a lunging batter on the inside edge and spinning up into Beaumont’s midriff.
A double change, which is a mild surprise – Kim Garth returns with Alyssa Healy not keen, for now, to deploy two spinners in tandem. The Australia captain comes up to the stumps.
England 124-1 (34.1), Heather Knight 38, Tammy Beaumont 66, Ashleigh Gardner 0-0 (0.1) (trail by 349)
17:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Here’s Australia’s second spin option – Ashleigh Gardner’s off-breaks. The all-rounder can give it a proper rip – there hasn’ been too much turn so far in the match but you fancy she might find it if there is some purchase in this track.
England 124-1 (34), Heather Knight 38, Tammy Beaumont 66, Alana King 0-19 (6) (trail by 349)
17:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle
England were a little sloppy in the field today but Australia have been largely on it so far, Kim Garth repeating her new ball partner’s trick from earlier with a sprawling save on the fine leg fence.
That swept two are the only runs of an Alana King over that takes us to drinks.
England 122-1 (33), Heather Knight 36, Tammy Beaumont 66, Annabel Sutherland 1-19 (6) (trail by 351)
17:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle
And just to rub it in, Beaumont cracks an Annabel Sutherland short ball to the cover fence.
England 118-1 (32), Heather Knight 36, Tammy Beaumont 62, Alana King 0-17 (5) (trail by 355)
17:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle
There’s just a hint of something happening here for Alana King. Tammy Beaumont is trying to use her feet to play proactively but ends up yorking herself twice, the second prompting an inquisitive gander at the umpire from King and co. Hmm, that looks intriguing – it appeared like Beaumont’s inside edge might have come flush off the boot and landed in the hands of Phoebe Litchfield at short leg. It did! Wow! Australia considered a review but elected not to challenge the on-field call, but that came directly off Beaumont’s toe and up into the fielder’s grasp.
Beaumont gets a life! In truth, I’m slightly surprised that the umpires didn’t refer it themselves – presumably they felt that Beaumont didn’t get bat on it at all.
England 117-1 (31), Heather Knight 36, Tammy Beaumont 61, Annabel Sutherland 1-15 (5) (trail by 356)
17:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A switch of seam bowling all-rounders from Alyssa Healy, bringing back Annabel Sutherland in the place of Ellyse Perry with Tahlia McGrath, the third of a similarly skilled trident, as yet unused. I’m a little surprised we haven’t seen Jess Jonassen yet – her darty left armers and consistency in targeting the stumps could prove useful on this surface, as Sophie Ecclestone proved when Australia batted.
Only a single from Sutherland’s return.
England 116-1 (30), Heather Knight 36, Tammy Beaumont 60, Alana King 0-16 (4) (trail by 357)
17:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Eek! That’s a little bit nasty for Phoebe Litchfield under the lid, a hard Heather Knight sweep skimming into her helmet at short leg. The youngster is swiftly back on her feet and back in place, confidence unaffected, once she’s been cleared by the medics after a quick concussion check.
Beth Mooney runs over a Knight drive at cover to give the England skipper four and prevent King building too much pressure as the leggie tries to settle in on a better line and length.
England 112-1 (29), Heather Knight 32, Tammy Beaumont 60, Ellyse Perry 0-20 (6) (trail by 361)
17:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Two brilliant bits of fielding deny Heather Knight a brace of boundaries, first Beth Mooney in the gully and then Ash Gardner at backward point sprawling to their right to block powerfully struck cuts.
Good thinking from Knight, moving slightly further across than usual in her trigger to exploit a gap at mid-on with an on-drive as Perry goes in search of an outswinger.
A deep point suggests Perry will give Tammy Beaumont a tempter or two. Yep – Beaumont waves ta-ta to the first with a hoisted bat but briefly goes after the second, just withdrawing her stroke in time to avoid engaging the slip cordon.
England 109-1 (27), Heather Knight 29, Tammy Beaumont 60, Alana King 0-12 (3) (trail by 364)
16:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle
That’s some pretty dreadful cricket – a loopy full toss from Alana King as what looked like an attempted googly slips out of the hand, and Tammy Beaumont’s shot isn’t much better, eyes lifting in excitement and the resultant swat wild and wayward. There’s the faintest brush of the bat on the way through and the ball comes to a halt short of the fine leg boundary, with Beaumont taking three runs she hardly deserves.
“Catch that please!” Alyssa Healy cries, but it is out of reach for short leg! An inside edge on to the pad but flying over the top of Phoebe Litchfield in tight.
England 105-1 (26), Heather Knight 28, Tammy Beaumont 57, Ellyse Perry 0-17 (5) (trail by 368)
16:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Australia are working hard on the Dukes, trying to shine up one side and get it to talk again. Ellyse Perry wears red stripes h down both her chest and her hamstring as evidence of her efforts, cutting a slightly frustrated figure as she loads up for six more at England’s skipper. They pass without score – much neater from Perry, joining them up to complete a maiden.
England 105-1 (25), Heather Knight 28, Tammy Beaumont 57, Alana King 0-8 (2) (trail by 368)
16:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Things are looking rather good for Beaumont, coming off that mammoth score in the warm-up game and appearing to have maintained that sort of form in the Test match proper. She waits well as she gets down on the sweep, an angled blade swatting it fine for four.
50 for Tammy Beaumont! England 101-1 (24.1), Heather Knight 28, Tammy Beaumont 53, Alana King 0-4 (1.1) (trail by 372)
16:49 , Harry Latham-Coyle
But there it is – a third Test fifty for Tammy Beaumont, a well compiled knock delivered in good time (75 balls, ten fours). She gets a second gift of a delivery since reaching 49, and this time takes full advantage, putting away a horrible drag down from Alana King.
England 97-1 (24), Heather Knight 28, Tammy Beaumont 49, Ellyse Perry 0-17 (4) (trail by 376)
16:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle
This is decent pace from Ellyse Perry, nudging up in and around 75mph as she throws that right arm back in familiar slingshot style.
Tammy Beaumont gets a gift of a ball to go to 50, a knee high full toss outside off stump on a perfect driving line, but can’t beat Tahlia McGrath at extra cover.
A leg bye ensures she’ll remain on 49 but face up again to Alana King at the start of the wrist-spinner’s second over.
England 93-1 (24), Heather Knight 27, Tammy Beaumont 49, Alana King 0-0 (1) (trail by 380)
16:41 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Tammy Beaumont eyes the fielder in the deep at square leg, thinking about the sweep, a favoured shot against the spinners. She tries it third ball, but the line is too far down leg and the bounce slightly too high, with Alyssa Healy only able to get half a glove on it.
Beaumont is watchful thereafter, King keeping her locked one shy of 50 with a maiden as the close-in catchers chirp their approval.
England 93-1 (23), Heather Knight 27, Tammy Beaumont 49, Alana King 0-0 (0)
16:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle
And as if by magic, here we go – Australia’s first spin port of call is their leggie, Alana King, ready to toss a few up. Two covers, a slip, and a short leg.
England 93-1 (23), Heather Knight 27, Tammy Beaumont 49, Ellyse Perry 0-14 (3) (trail by 380)
16:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle
The runs are really starting to flow, now. A back foot punch brings England’s captain her fifth boundary, before Perry goes searching for an LBW, allowing an easy clipped two.
I don’t think we can now be far away from our first sighting of spin for the innings.
England 87-1 (22), Heather Knight 21, Tammy Beaumont 49, Darcie Brown 0-40 (7) (trail by 386)
16:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle
That’s clever from Heather Knight, squeezing a low full toss outside off from Darcie Brown into the floor and sending it spinning through the gully region for four. The England captain inspects the bottom of her bat, picking at a couple of bits of earth that have embedded in the toe guard, but uses the middle to ease a drive through point. Three more to her, and England’s, tally.
Cut with power and precision! Short from Brown and Tammy Beaumont slices the katana cleanly through it. Four more as the 50 partnership comes up and Beaumont moves within a single of a milestone of her own.
England 75-1 (21), Heather Knight 14, Tammy Beaumont 45, Ellyse Perry 0-8 (2) (trail by 398)
16:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Like most vertically challenged batters, Tammy Beaumont is good off the back foot, forcing two more through cover as Perry gives her a hint of width.
England 73-1 (20.1), Heather Knight 14, Tammy Beaumont 43, Ellyse Perry 0-6 (1.1) (trail by 400)
16:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle
And continuing from the Radcliffe Road end will be Ellyse Perry, who bowled that lone over before the break.
Superb fielding! Perry drops short and is pulled with malicious intent by Tammy Beaumont, but Darcie Brown somehow gets around with a sliding left palm to save four at fine leg.
England 71-1 (20), Heather Knight 14, Tammy Beaumont 41, Darcie Brown 0-28 (7) (trail by 402)
16:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle
The reports from the middle at tea were that a few cracks were just beginning to open up in the Trent Bridge surface, which may be needed to spice up what has been a true, slow deck so far. Darcie Brown hurls one in halfway down but Heather Knight has plenty of time to ride the bounce and tug it fine of square leg for a couple.
England 68-1 (19.1), Heather Knight 12, Tammy Beaumont 41, Darcie Brown 0-25 (6.1) (trail by 405)
16:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle
We’re back underway in Nottingham, Darcie Brown resuming where she left off with that wide of off-stump line to Heather Knight.
Tea: England 68-1 (trailing by 405) (Tammy Beaumont 41*, Heather Knight 12*)
16:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A very solid start from England’s top order, led by Tammy Beaumont, in fine touch and closing in on a half-century. The compact opening batter has seized upon errors of line and length from the Australian seamers to compile a pretty 41, and though Emma Lamb was well snaffled by Jess Jonassen to continue Annabel Sutherland’s standout day, the hosts will settle down for a brew content with their work with the bat so far.
No sign of spin yet, though, for Australia – it shan’t be long after the interval until we see one of Alana King, Jess Jonassen or Ashleigh Gardner, you’d think, with a beautifully balanced trio of twirlers likely to provide plenty of threat.
TEA: England 68-1 (trailing by 405) (Tammy Beaumont 41*, Heather Knight 12*)
16:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle
England 68-1 (19), Heather Knight 12, Tammy Beaumont 41, Ellyse Perry 0-4 (1) (trail by 405)
16:01 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Here is Perry, still working her way back up to full bowling flow after a long lay-off last year with a stress fracture. Her record in this format is outstanding, of course – 37 wickets at under 20 – but it’s a slightly wayward start, a full toss down leg swept for four by Tammy Beaumont.
Another ball down leg, and Alyssa Healy likes this! Sue Redfern’s index finger is unmoved but Healy reviews the not out decision. Was there a tickle?
Nope, nothing there. That looked a bit of a speculative referral from Healy, facing little opposition as both keeper and captain and excited about a noise that proved to be Beaumont’s bat brushing the ground.
The review does ensure there isn’t time for another over before tea.
England 64-1 (18), Heather Knight 12, Tammy Beaumont 37, Darcie Brown 0-25 (6) (trail by 409)
15:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle
The deep backward square is brought up into the circle as Heather Knight takes strike, with Australia spying more vulnerability outside off with the England skipper newer to the crease.
Ellyse Perry is loosening her arms as Australia race around in the hopes of getting two more overs in before the interval.
England 63-1 (17), Heather Knight 12, Tammy Beaumont 36, Kim Garth 0-21 (8) (trail by 410)
15:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Garth looks slightly weary as she collects her cap at the end of a second consecutive maiden. That might be it – you’d have though Alyssa Healy might fancy at least one over of spin before tea.
That over of spin won’t come at the other end. Darcie Brown is back for her second spell, with two fielders in the deep behind square on the legside suggesting she might test the spring of the centre of this Trent Bridge surface.
England 63-1 (16), Heather Knight 12, Tammy Beaumont 36, Annabel Sutherland 1-14 (4) (trail by 410)
15:48 , Harry Latham-Coyle
That’s awfully charitable from Annabel Sutherland, two more full tosses whipped with minimal fuss through midwicket for four as Tammy Beaumont continues her climb towards 50. Today’s revised session timings mean tea will be taken at four, by the way.
Kim Garth does fancy another over.
England 55-1 (15), Heather Knight 12, Tammy Beaumont 28, Kim Garth 0-21 (7) (trail by 418)
15:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Lovely. Heather Knight is beaten outside off as Kim Garth glides one by the England batter’s defensive stroke. Garth completes a maiden therafter, and is immediately engaged in conversation by her captain, hurrying out from behind the stumps. “One more, Kim?” seems to be the prevailing question with Garth’s pace still good.
England 55-1 (14), Heather Knight 12, Tammy Beaumont 28, Annabel Sutherland 1-6 (3) (trail by 418)
15:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Annabel Sutherland at last shows she’s human with a nasty, looping full toss. It is biffed through mid-on for four by Tammy Beaumont, who appears briefly surprised by the aberration.
She’s looking good here, England’s opener, tucking a couple more through midwicket.
England 49-1 (13), Heather Knight 12, Tammy Beaumont 22, Kim Garth 0-21 (6) (trail by 424)
15:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Australia continue without a fielder fine of a forward square leg, which allows Heather Knight the freedom to nurdle for four as Garth strays on to her pads.
Lucky! Knight wants to get bat on ball and chases one outside off, edging at a catchable height between third slip and gully. Garth slaps her thigh; Knight smiles wryly.
England 41-1 (12), Heather Knight 4, Tammy Beaumont 22, Annabel Sutherland 1-0 (2) (trail by 432)
15:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle
This has been an outstanding start from Sutherland, who hasn’t offered a bad ball yet. She finds a bit of lift to upset the top of Beaumont’s bat, a glove coming off the handle in the defensive stroke. Back-to-back maidens for Australia’s young all-rounder, who is beginning to bloom on the biggest stage.
England 41-1 (11), Heather Knight 4, Tammy Beaumont 22, Kim Garth 0-13 (5) (trail by 432)
15:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A switch of ends for Kim Garth, brought back on with the offside shored up by an extra fielder in the covers. Tammy Beaumont still manages to pierce the ring, Tahlia McGrath having to get her legs moving to keep it to a single as Beaumont leans into another drive.
Heather Knight takes strike for the first time, the England skipper dabbing at the pitch as Garth gets one to curve nicely away with three slips and a gully very much interested.
Off the mark. Full, swinging, and through comes the bat, going with the away movement and forcing it square for a boundary
OUT! Emma Lamb c Jonassen b Sutherland 10 (32b 1×4 0x6) SR: 31.25, England 36-1 (10)
15:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A ton with the bat and a wicket in her first over! Annabel Sutherland is on fire!
Where Kim Garth and Darcie Brown had erred early, Sutherland was right amongst things straight away, calibrating her dials quickly and challenging Emma Lamb on a fourth stump line. A hint of movement away is enough to take a nibble of Lamb’s outside edge as the England batter plays with hard hands, and there’s just enough carry in this surface for Jess Jonassen to pouch at second slip.
A wicket maiden for Sutherland, who is having an extraodinary day.
England 36/0 (9), Emma Lamb 10, Tammy Beaumont 21, Darcie Brown 0-20 (5) (trail by 437)
15:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle
It’s all a little bit scattergun from Darcie Brown, struggling to find rhythm as she re-adjusts to Test match cricket. She goes searching for another outswinger, but it’s all too easy for Tammy Beaumont to flash the hands through, the England opener breaking into a grin as she plays another pleasant drive through the covers.
Better from Brown! That’s the length she needs to hit, Beaumont unsure whether to go forward or press back and in the end doing neither. The outside edge probably wouldn’t have carried as it flies through fourth slip between those two fielders adjacent to the keeper and the two gullies.
Thumped! That’s some riposte from Beaumont as Brown ventures a bouncer, the diminutive England opener happy against the short ball and hooking to the vacant long leg region for a third four of the over.
A change of bowling at the other end – it’s been a good day with the bat for Annabel Sutherland, but what can she do with the ball?
England 24/0 (8), Emma Lamb 10, Tammy Beaumont 9, Kim Garth 0-8 (4) (trail by 449)
15:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle
England’s middle order look pretty chilled, nattering away happily on the balcony as they enjoy their openers’ solid start. Danni Wyatt and Sophia Dunkley are on one side, Heather Knight, Nat-Sciver Brunt and Amy Jones the other, with no sign of the bowlers, presumably in a dark room cooling off after a pretty tough couple of days.
A few indications that this surface may yet misbehave later in the Test – two Kim Garth balls in the channel keep a little low, with Emma Lamb cutting a good foot above one of them. Garth’s maiden is the first of the innings.
England 24/0 (7), Emma Lamb 10, Tammy Beaumont 9, Darcie Brown 0-12 (4) (trail by 449)
15:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Marvellous! Anything Tammy Beaumont can do, Emma Lamb can do better, the opener typically pretty through the covers as she latches on to a Darcie Brown tempter.
Australia’s opening bowlers haven’t quite got enough balls in the right area – given the depth of the attack, it might not be long before we see one of Tahlia McGrath, Annabel Sutherland or Ellyse Perry.
England 19/0 (6), Emma Lamb 5, Tammy Beaumont 9, Kim Garth 0-8 (3) (trail by 454)
15:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A gift! A wide half-volley and Tammy Beaumont says “thank you very much”, gobbling it and four runs up with a pleasing pop from the middle of her bat.
Beaumont looked in outstanding touch in the warm-up game against Australia A, strumming a superb double hundred on a similarly placid pitch at a very encouraging rate. Having been dropped from England’s T20 side a couple of years ago, there is a feeling that Beaumont has just expanded her range of strokes somewhat and has more confidence in her power hitting, which should only aid her longer-format skills.
England 15/0 (5), Emma Lamb 5, Tammy Beaumont 4, Darcie Brown 0-7 (3) (trail by 458)
14:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Phoebe Litchfield’s safe hands have earned her a place in the slip cordon, even on debut, with the young opener in at second alongside Annabel Sutherland.
And she nearly takes a stunner! Nip away from the surface at good pace from Darcie Brown and biting at the outside edge of Tammy Beaumont’s bat, but Litchfield can’t cling on diving low to her right as she tries to scoop it off the turf.
That will encourage Brown, though, drawing a false stroke for the first time. The fielders give her the customary pats on the back as she traipses to her fielding position.
England 13/0 (4), Emma Lamb 4, Tammy Beaumont 4, Kim Garth 0-4 (2) (trail by 460)
14:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Emma Lamb drives nicely, but is denied four by a diving mid-off fielder’s outstretched left arm. It’s a solid start from England’s openers, with few demons apparent in the surface and neither Australia bowler yet to find significant movement through the air.
England 12/0 (3), Emma Lamb 3, Tammy Beaumont 4, Darcie Brown 0-5 (2) (trail by 461)
14:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Darcie Brown brings one back in, now, looking to attack Tammy Beaumont’s pads. A flick of the thigh and it is on its way, beating a sprawling Alyssa Healy. Given as leg byes, but the replay shows a tickle on the glove on the way past, with Tammy Beaumont joking around with umpire Sue Redfern after being robbed of a first boundary.
England 6/0 (2), Emma Lamb 3, Tammy Beaumont 2, Kim Garth 0-3 (1) (trail by 467)
14:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Kim Garth lacks Brown’s speed but she’ll plug away in the channel, with the ability to nip it both ways if conditions allow. It’s the same field to greet her, with those two gully fielders spaced to cover for both a thick outside edge on the drive and more of a back-foot force that skews finer than the batter would like.
Garth shows her skills, an outswinger much too wide but the inswinger better directed, forcing Lamb to prod into the offside.
England 3/0 (1), Emma Lamb 1, Tammy Beaumont 2, Darcie Brown 0-3 (1) (trail by 470)
14:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Brown is Australia’s quickest bowler, and has the ability to get the ball to move away quite significantly from the right hander. I suspect she’ll be used in short-ish spells by Alyssa Healy, who gives her quick two slips and two gullies to start.
A positive start from England’s batters, with Emma Lamb flicking one off her toes to fine leg and Tammy Beaumont up and running, too, with a checked drive through the covers.
That’s better from Brown, drawing Beaumont into an ambitious early drive. A stifled appeal from behind the stumps, but the noise was Beaumont’s toe troubling the turf.
Kim Garth will have first go from the other end.
England 0/0 (0), Emma Lamb 0, Tammy Beaumont 0, Darcie Brown 0-0 (0) (trail by 473)
14:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A swift turnaround for Darcie Brown – last woman out in Australia’s innings and kicking things off with the ball.
England 0/0 (0), Emma Lamb 0, Tammy Beaumont 0, (trail by 473)
14:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A tough day so far for England, but this pitch still looks dreamy to bat on. The openers have dashed to get their stuff on and ready to face what is likely to be a charged up Australian attack. They’ll know they might need early inroads on a true surface, but in Kim Garth and Darcie Brown they have two highly skilled new ball bowlers to exploit whatever nip and swing might be there with the new Dukes.
Plenty of bowling options for Alyssa Healy to play with, too, with a raft of all-rounders and a proven international-class spinner of each type.
Tammy Beaumont and Emma Lamb bump gloves as they stroll out.
Australia 473 all out
14:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Mooney 33 (57), ct Cross, b Filer
Litchfield 23 (32) lbw b Cross
Perry 99 (153), c Sciver-Brunt, b Filer
McGrath 61 (83), b Ecclestone
Jonassen 11 (30), c Beaumont, b Ecclestone
Healy 0 (2), b Ecclestone
Gardner 40 (76), c Jones, b Bell
Sutherland 137* (184)
King 21 (46), b Bell
Garth 22 (76), lbw b Ecclestone
Brown 5 (12), c & b Ecclestone
Bowling figures
Cross 29-3-102-1
Bell 20-1-91-2
Ecclestone 46.2-9-129-5
Sciver-Brunt 5-1-26-0
Filer 22-1-99-2
Dunkley 2-0-13-0
End of innings: Australia 473 all out
14:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle
OUT! Darcie Brown c & b Ecclestone 5 (12b 0x4 0x6) SR: 41.66, Australia 473 all out
14:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Five for Sophie Ecclestone! Darcie Brown chips one back to the bowler and that’s all she wrote for Australia’s innings.
A richly deserved maiden fifer in Test cricket for Ecclestone, who has toiled away for nearly 50 overs on a pitch not offering much for her to work with.
Annabel Sutherland walks off unbeaten on 137 – an outstanding innings that has taken Australia to the sixth highest total in women’s Test history.
Australia 472/9 (124), Annabel Sutherland 136, Darcie Brown 5, Lauren Filer 2-99 (22)
14:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Lauren Filer is brought back on to try and blast out Australia’s number eleven, but Darcie Brown fancies some fun, driving in a controlled manner past mid-off. Sophia Dunkley chases after it and manages to scoop the ball back before it contacts the boundary cushion, but the length of the chase and the lack of a colleague to aid her means the batters are able to run four. All that work for no run saved, which must be pretty galling.
Tammy Beaumont claps her hands at short leg, waiting for a Brown nudge, but the tailender dips out of the way of a Filer short ball, smiling as she wanders down for a catch-up with her partner and perhaps already thinking about how she may make best use of this flat surface when it is her turn to charge in.
Six! Australia 468/9 (123), Annabel Sutherland 136, Darcie Brown 1, Sophie Ecclestone 4-128 (46)
14:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Mahoosive! England foolishly allow Annabel Sutherland back on strike with a needless overthrow and the centurion takes full advantage, a clean blow over cow corner sailing over the fielder’s head as the stewards duck for cover.
Australia 460/9 (122), Annabel Sutherland 128, Darcie Brown 1, Kate Cross 1-102 (29)
14:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle
England try to attack Darcie Brown, pushing the field back and allowing Annabel Sutherland a single, with Sutherland twice obliging with little point in trying to harvest the strike.
Brown has a bit of a dip outside off stump to Cross’s last ball, but makes no contact.
Australia 457/9 (121), Annabel Sutherland 126, Darcie Brown 0, Sophie Ecclestone 4-120 (45)
14:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Sophie Ecclestone will fancy a five-for after plenty of hard graft. She’ll have every chance against Darcie Brown, you’d think, Australia’s number eleven the one member of their side without any proven batting acumen. I believe Brown is still yet to score a run in an official T20, though statistics in the women’s game can be inaccurate and incomplete.
A well-judged leave outside off means Brown survives her first two balls from England’s left arm tweaker.
OUT! Kim Garth lbw b Ecclestone 22 (76b 3×4 0x6) SR: 28.94, Australia 457/9 (120.4)
14:13 , Harry Latham-Coyle
It’s plumb! Three reds on ball tracking and, at last, England have the breakthrough!
It’s the arm ball from Ecclestone, curving in from around the wicket and continuing on. Garth’s defence, so resolute in this partnership, fails her, bat prodded on the wrong line, and once the inside edge is beaten she is always in trouble. It thuds into the back thigh en route to leg stump and that’s that for the former Ireland international after a vital hand in a partnership of 95.
Australia 457/8 (121.4), Annabel Sutherland 126, Kim Garth 22, Sophie Ecclestone 3-120 (44.4)
14:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Delightful! We haven’t seen Annabel Sutherland take the aerial route too often today but this flight plan is perfectly filed, a couple of skips down the track to get to the pitch and it’s lift off! Four over mid-off.
Struck on the pad and up goes the finger! Kim Garth is trapped in front – but reviews straight away!…
Australia 452/8 (120), Annabel Sutherland 121, Kim Garth 22, Kate Cross 1-99 (28)
14:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Now then – another drop by Amy Jones! No reaction on the field, but there was a fine flick of the glove as a ducking Annabel Sutherland threw up the bat in a half-pull. It’s another really tough chance, up to the stumps and having to adjust to Kate Cross’s bumper, but Jones’s grimace suggests she’d have liked to have held on.
This is the second highest total in Women’s Ashes Test history.
Australia 449/8 (119), Annabel Sutherland 118, Kim Garth 22, Sophie Ecclestone 3-115 (44)
14:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Four more to Kim Garth, down on one knee like a fiancée to be and scooping Sophie Ecclestone around the corner. Heather Knight pursues from slip but is beaten by this speedy Trent Bridge outfield.
Tammy Beaumont tiptoes across the pitch in to silly point as England switch things up in an attempt to prise out one of this pair. It all feels rather flat.
Australia 444/8 (118), Annabel Sutherland 117, Kim Garth 18, Kate Cross 1-96 (27)
14:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
That’s less good from Ecclestone, on her heels and then collapsing as she fields to allow Sutherland a punched single to mid-on to end a run of 20 dots either side of the interval.
Heather Knight is in at slip for Kim Garth, but there doesn’t seem to be enough pace or movement to suggest the England captain will be too engaged.
Carved! That’s Garth’s best stroke yet, authoritative on the back foot and scything Cross backward of point for four.
Australia 439/8 (117), Annabel Sutherland 116, Kim Garth 14, Sophie Ecclestone 3-110 (43)
13:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Given some of the methods suggested to toughen a spinning finger as Moeen was struggling last week, you wonder where exactly Sophie Ecclestone’s digits were during the lunch interval. Given the volume of overs she’s having to bowl here, you do hope that her hands are suitably hardened.
It’s a good start from Ecclestone, matching Cross with a maiden.
Australia 439/8 (116), Annabel Sutherland 116, Kim Garth 14, Kate Cross 1-91 (26)
13:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Jones is forced to retrieve her step-ladder to get her gloves behind a Kate Cross bouncer, Annabel Sutherland ducking beneath it in comfort. A clip to midwicket is the closest Sutherland comes to a scoring stroke as she eases herself back in by playing out a maiden.
Australia 439/8 (115), Annabel Sutherland 116, Kim Garth 14
13:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Right, the players are back out there, with Australia happy to bat on for now. With the way these two are going, 500 isn’t out of reach.
Bellies refilled, and batteries recharged, at the interval, a few English players break into sprints to get the legs going again. Kate Cross will begin proceedings, with wicketkeeper Amy Jones up to the stumps with no close in catching comapny.
England add ‘eye-catching’ teenage leg-spinner to Ashes squad
13:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle
England have called up 18-year-old leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed for the second men’s Ashes Test at Lord’s, with concerns lingering over Moeen Ali’s injured finger.
Ahmed became the youngest man to play Test cricket for England when he was picked to take on Pakistan in December, earning his cap 126 days after his 18th birthday.
He made an eye-catching debut in Karachi, taking seven wickets in the match and five for 48 in the second innings, and will join Ben Stokes’ side this weekend as cover for Moeen.
England add ‘eye-catching’ teenage leg-spinner to Ashes squad
Lunch: Australia 439-8 (115), (Annabel Sutherland 116*, Kim Garth 14*)
13:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle
And there, in a session, is the reason Australia have been so dominant over the last few years. England would have began their day thinking of extinguishing the tail and readying themselves for a bat, but Australia’s lower order have held firm in another display of their superior depth and quality. Annabel Sutherland’s magnificent hundred from number eight will get the headlines but she’s found strong support from both Alana King and Kim Garth to put their side so firmly in charge of the game.
King was the only wicket to fall, beaten by a Lauren Bell inswinger, but, in truth, England’s seamers have been slightly off it, and Sophie Ecclestone unable to cause consistent problems on a surface that still looks true and friendly to the batters. Will Alyssa Healy declare at lunch? Or does the Australia skipper think her penultimate pair can still inflict a bit more psychological damage with so long left in the game?
LUNCH: AUSTRALIA 439-8 (115), (Annabel Sutherland 116*, Kim Garth 14*)
13:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Australia 439/8 (115), Annabel Sutherland 116, Kim Garth 14, Sophie Ecclestone 3-110 (42)
13:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Well, if a declaration is imminent, there are no clues offered by Kim Garth, dead-batting throughout Sophie Ecclestone’s 42nd over as England left-armer wiles away.
That’s lunch – Australia have added 111 this morning for the loss of only a single wicket and are beginning to bat England out of the game.
Australia 439/8 (114), Annabel Sutherland 116, Kim Garth 14, Lauren Filer 2-95 (21)
13:09 , Harry Latham-Coyle
There is something quite Ellyse Perry-like about Annabel Sutherland. I’m not sure she’ll ever be quite the bowler that Perry has been over her international career, but Sutherland’s patience and pureness in this innings has been reminiscent of Australia’s leading seam all-rounder.
That’s not one of her purer strokes – a bit of a flap as Filer bangs it in. Four more runs to the tally, though, off a top edge to the deep third boundary.
One more over before lunch.
Australia 434/8 (113), Annabel Sutherland 112, Kim Garth 14, Sophie Ecclestone 3-110 (41)
13:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle
We are even getting to the point now where Alyssa Healy may consider a lunchtime declaration, giving her bowlers the break to rest up and prepare themselves to have a go at a weary England after the interval. This ninth-wicket partnership is now worth 72 and has come at nearly five an over, which, given Garth’s initial approach, speaks to England’s untidiness in the last little while.
Australia 429/8 (112), Annabel Sutherland 109, Kim Garth 11, Lauren Filer 2-91 (20)
13:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle
That audible frustration released by Ecclestone a moment ago is also palpably shown by a few of England’s fielders as they try to work out a way to end this innings, which is growing into something truly imposing.
News from elsewhere, briefly: England’s men have added Rehan Ahmed to their squad ahead of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s next week. The teenage leg-spinner, impressive on debut in Pakistan during the winter, joins as cover for Moeen Ali, nursing that blistered finger.
Australia 425/8 (111), Annabel Sutherland 109, Kim Garth 9, Sophie Ecclestone 3-105 (40)
12:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle
With her job as the steady support act done, Garth has the freedom to open up a bit, too, missing a lap sweep but still able to take two byes, before connecting more cleanly with a more forceful swipe across the line.
Three more runs follow, and Ecclestone squawks in frustration as Sutherland somehow skews a proper hoick into a gap at backward point.
Sutherland’s hundred is the fastest by an Australian in women’s Test history, and the highest score by a batter at number eight or lower.
Australia 415/8 (110), Annabel Sutherland 108, Kim Garth 2, Lauren Filer 2-88 (19)
12:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle
And with the ton up, Sutherland flicks the switch and begins to go on the offensive. Her second boundary is collected similarly to the first, though worked finer off the legs to bisect the two fielders in the deep, but the second is streaky, an outside edge flying over the paws of a leaping Heather Knight at second slip. The 50 partnership is up, with Kim Garth’s contribution minimal – though nonetheless useful.
100 for Annabel Sutherland! Australia 407/8 (109.1), Annabel Sutherland 100, Kim Garth 2, Lauren Filer 2-80 (18.1)
12:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle
There it is! A fantastic hundred from Annabel Sutherland, her first in Test cricket!
She’s a better batter than her place at number eight was suggest and this has been an innings full of class, studded with a handful of prim and proper straight drives. Sutherland has rarely looked in danger and brings up the ton with a beautifull timed flick through midwicket. (148 balls, 12 fours).
Australia 403/8 (109), Annabel Sutherland 96, Kim Garth 2, Lauren Filer 2-76 (18)
12:48 , Harry Latham-Coyle
The session timings are slightly tweaked today to compensate for the five overs lost yesterday. That means there are still 20 minutes or so left of a tough morning for England, with Lauren Filer brought back with Sutherland a boundary short of her 100…
Australia 403/8 (109), Annabel Sutherland 96, Kim Garth 2, Sophie Ecclestone 3-97 (39)
12:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle
For a third time this morning, an Annabel Sutherland drive troubles the stumps at the bowler’s end after a ricochet, forcing third umpire Jasmine Naeem to be consulted again – as has been the case twice previously, the backing-up batter had retreated promptly.
Glorious! A half-volley outside off and driven immaculately through extra cover by Annabel Sutherland, taking her into the nineties and Australia beyond the 400 mark.
Lauren Bell gets herself in a pickle on the cow corner boundary after lolloping around from long-on, giving Sutherland a third run from a firm flick. She’s now one shot away from a maiden Test ton.
Australia 396/8 (108), Annabel Sutherland 89, Kim Garth 2, Kate Cross 1-91 (25)
12:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Kate Cross chances a short ball even with Amy Jones up to the stumps, catching Sutherland slightly off guard. A top edge has England hopeful but Sutherland simply strolls up the other end, content it will land 15 yards short of Sophia Dunkley in the deep having played the shot with slightly more control than it first appeared.
This is a fine exhibition of lower order blocking from Kim Garth, the drawbridge very much up. 32 balls for her two, which matters not a jot.
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