Perry, Ecclestone star on Day 1 of Women's Ashes

Australia's Ellyse Perry hit an eye-catching 99 before Sophie Ecclestone led England's fightback on the first day of the women's Ashes on Thursday.

Perry was Australia's driving force as the tourists reached 328-7 at the close of play in the lone Test of the multi-format series at Trent Bridge.

In the biggest moment of a dramatic day, Perry overturned an lbw verdict off Lauren Filer's first ball in international cricket.

Perry, who had scored only 10 at the time, went on to reach her fifth 50-plus score in 10 Tests against England. 

Just as Australia looked set to take a stranglehold on the Test, Ecclestone dismissed Jess Jonassen and Australia captain Alyssa Healy, for a duck, in the same over.

YES SOPH! 👏

What a delivery to dismiss McGrath for an important breakthrough!#EnglandCricket #Ashes pic.twitter.com/okJRALfVV2

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 22, 2023

Filer eventually claimed the prize scalp of Perry as she eyed a century, while slow left-armer Ecclestone bowled Tahlia McGrath, who smashed 61 in a 119-run stand with Perry.

Australia slipped from 202/2 to 238/6 when Perry was caught at the gully by Nat Sciver-Brunt. A 77-run stand between Ashleigh Gardner and Annabel Sutherland sailed Australia past the 300-run mark. 

Lauren Bell broke the stand in the last few overs of the day’s play. Her length ball outside the off stump drew Gardner into a tentative push, producing an edge caught by the wicketkeeper. The all-rounder scored 40 off 76 deliveries. 

Ecclestone was the star bowler for England with figures of 3/71. 

The day’s play was truncated by five overs. Only 85 overs were bowled on the opening day’s play due to rain. 

The five-day Test is worth four points in the series and will be followed by three Twenty20 internationals and three one-day internationals.

After the thrilling first men's Test between England and Australia earlier this week, it was the women's turn to seize the spotlight.

Trying to regain the urn for the first time since 2015, England were cheered on by an attendance of 5,545 -- the largest crowd on a single day for a women's Test in the country.

England captain Heather Knight, who promised to "entertain and inspire" on the eve of only the second five-day women's Test in history, was attacking with her field settings after the hosts were asked to bowl.

Annabel Sutherland (39 not out) and Alana King (seven not out) will hope to blast Australia towards 400 when play resumes on Friday.

(with inputs from AFP)