England blew a golden opportunity to assert themselves on day 1 of the Ashes Test as Australia produced a flurry of late wickets to leave the visitors 235/7 at stumps.
In the first women’s Test to be played since 2015, the post-sunset final session under floodlights promised to be the most unpredictable – and so it proved.
There was little assistance for the bowlers earlier in the day, and by the time the second new ball was available for the final 80 minutes of play, England was going well with Sarah Taylor and Georgia Elwiss at the crease.
Also WATCH: Sarah Taylor takes an incredible catch to dismiss Elyse Villani
However, Ellyse Perry struck twice in successive overs. First, a bouncer induced a top edge from Elwiss on 27. Then Taylor, who made 29, offered a return catch that Perry knew little about – she was struck on the forearm by a straight drive and the ball popped up for an easy catch.
Here’s the video:
Ellyse Perry just couldn't stop laughing! #WomensAshes pic.twitter.com/tcu2K19fYA
— Australian Women's Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) November 9, 2017
“I just slipped a little bit in some footholds on that delivery and my head went down and I lost all sight of it. I kind of looked up and the lights were a little bit in my eyes. The first time I spotted the ball was just before it hit my arm, rather embarrassingly I managed to catch it.
“It provided a lot of entertainment for everyone and I lost all composure and I’m really glad [captain] Rachael [Haynes] took me off after that. Every now and then you bowl some bad ones or you have a bit of luck or something obscure happens and that’s what makes the game so fun and entertaining.
“You’d happily get her [Taylor] out any way possible. I don’t think it had anything to do with my skill or ability, it was pure luck,” Perry said after the end of day’s play.
