AUSTRALIA seized control on the second day of the Women’s Ashes Test as England crumbled to 168 all out in their first innings at Canterbury. Megan Schutt took 4-26 and Ellyse Perry 3-38 as no England batter passed 40.
Earlier, debutante Jess Jonassen was dismissed on 99 as Australia reached 274-9 declared in their first innings.
A win in the four-day Test will put Australia, who lead by four points to two after the three-match ODI series, on the brink of regaining the Ashes.
Having lost four early wickets, England needed to rebuild but fear seemed to overtake the hosts as their innings almost ground to a complete halt.
The fifth-wicket partnership between Natalie Sciver and Lydia Greenway lasted 21 overs, in which time they scored just 32 runs, with half of those coming from boundaries.
It came in stark contrast to the sixth-wicket partnership on day one between Jonassen and Alyssa Healy – with Australia in similar trouble on 99-5 – that brought an impetus to their innings. (BBC Sport)