England women were defeated by Australia women by 33 runs in the first ODI of the series at the WACA, today.
England lost the toss and fielded first in today's rain delayed, One Day International against Australia women.
The England bowlers restricted Australia to 194-7 in a 44-over reduced format of the game.
Katherine Brunt and Laura Marsh pegged back the home side allowing them just 20 runs from the first six overs. Jenny Gunn (3-28) then took the ball for England and got the wickets falling in the 13th over, as Charlotte Edwards secured a catch at mid off to see off Shelly Nitschke.
Gunn then continued to build the pressure with Danielle Hazell and was rewarded with the wicket of Meg Lanning, bowling straight into the gloves of Lauren Griffiths, to leave Australia on 56-2.
Hazell came back for a second spell to break the partnership of Leah Polton and Alex Blackwell in the 34th over, as Lydia Greenway landed a catch at deep mid wicket.
The break in partnership was key for England as Australia then failed to build any further significant innings, as Blackwell's scoring was put to an end by Edwards through the quick hands Griffiths, leaving Australia on 157-4.
Colvin, Gunn and Katherine Brunt then saw off a wicket a piece in the final five overs with Australia adding 37 runs to their total to finish on 194-7 after 44 overs.
Edwards and Greenway came in to steady the ship for England after the early wickets of Heather Knight and Danni Wyatt left England on 5-2. The solid partnership of 66 and half century from Edwards gave hope of a run chase until the partnership broke down in the 21st over, when Greenway (26) was trapped leg before by Lisa Sthalekar, leaving England on 71-3.
Despite Edwards' efforts and a fair contribution from Laura Marsh (16), before being run out, it was left to the lower order batters to chase down the target, as England were on 131-7 after Edwards was finally caught at mid wicket by Sthalekar.
Brunt added on a quick fire 10 off 12 balls before being stumped off the bowling of Nitschke, shortly followed by the run-out of Hazell to leave England on 133-8.
The run chase was left to the final two batters, Holly Colvin and Lauren Griffiths by the 39th over. Both put in a valiant effort hitting 12 off the six balls they faced before rain stopped play with England on 151-9.
The match was abandoned and a win awarded to Australia by 33 runs according to Duckworth-Lewis.
Charlotte Edwards said:"I'm disappointed; we had a bad day at the office. We bowled reasonably well but we just didn't perform with the bat. It's a great wicket and I believe if we bat as well as I know we can, we can beat Australia.
"This was just one game where we've not performed to our best, but we will train hard tomorrow and come back fighting on Friday."
