Beaumont’s century leads England fightback in women’s ashes

(BBC) – Tammy Beaumont’s maiden Test century led England’s emphatic fightback with the bat on day two of the one-off Ashes Test match at Trent Bridge.

Beaumont was 100 not out as England finished the day on 218-2 in response to Australia’s 473.

The opener joins Heather Knight, Jos Buttler and Dawid Malan as the England players to score centuries in all three formats of the game.

The visitors, who resumed on 328-7 overnight, were propelled by number eight Annabel Sutherland’s brilliant 137 as Sophie Ecclestone took a Test career-best 5-129 for England.

England were frustrated by a ninth-wicket partnership of 95 between Sutherland and Kim Garth, who made 22, as Knight’s seamers struggled to create chances on a flat pitch in the morning session.

Australia’s 473 is the highest first-innings total in women’s Test match history but England started aggressively and did not take a step back, even after the loss of Emma Lamb for 10 in the 10th over.

Knight scored 57 in a stand of 115 with Beaumont as Australia’s bowlers, boasting two more spinners than England, suffered the same fate as the hosts.

Beaumont was reprieved on 61 as Australia opted against reviewing a catch, with replays showing she had hit the ball on to her boot before being caught at short leg.

She will be joined by all-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt, who added an entertaining 41 from 44 balls, when England resume on day three.

Classy Beaumont piles pressure on world’s best
All of the pre-Ashes talk from England and their coach, Jon Lewis, has been about their approach, promising aggression and taking the attack to Australia – especially with the bat.

And at the first opportunity, Beaumont proved England’s commitment to the cause, reaching her century from 152 balls, including 16 fours, as the pitch continued to favour batters and Australia’s bowlers also struggled to find much seam or swing with the ball.

It was Beaumont who dropped Ellyse Perry on 10 on day one before the all-rounder went on to make 99, perhaps adding fuel to her desire to make Healy and Australia rue their missed review opportunity.

It is rare to see Australia on the back foot, as they offered Beaumont and Knight plenty of scoring opportunities with their inconsistency – though their fielding remained sublime throughout, one of the hallmarks of their recent success.

 

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