A hip injury to superstar Ellyse Perry has soured Australia’s dominant first day of the historic women’s Ashes Test at the MCG. Captain Alyssa Healy’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss paid off, with Alana King’s spin masterclass skittling England for 170 in front of 11,643 fans. Australia batted for 22 overs before stumps in reply, making it to 1-56 in the day-night Test.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today But Australia will be sweating on the fitness of Perry, who didn’t return to the field after leaving to be assessed during the second session. The 34-year-old landed awkwardly on her hip while diving in the field, with Australia saying she would be reassessed on Friday. Due to come in at No.
3, Perry was replaced by Annabel Sutherland, who smashed 210 in Australia’s last Test in February. Sutherland (24no) will resume batting on Friday with opener Phoebe Litchfield (20no). Debutant Georgia Voll was the only Australian batter to be dismissed, slashing at a wide delivery to be caught behind off Lauren Bell’s bowling.
Voll, presented with her first baggy green by the legendary Belinda Clark, was fuming at herself for falling in such disappointing fashion. In the first women’s Test at the MCG since 1949, it was two 21-year-olds who were given the honour of opening the batting for Australia. King was the star of the day, bamboozling England with 4-45 - her best Test figures.
With the Shane Warne Stand behind her, King bowled 23 overs unc.
