The Southern Stars will need a monumental effort to win back the Ashes after suffering a 61-run loss to England in the solitary Test of the Commonwealth Bank Women’s Ashes Series.
A 44-run partnership between Ellyse Perry (31) and Sarah Elliott (29) gave Australia hope on the final morning of the four-day Test as they moved the score to 5-99 but player of the match Perry was unable to repeat her first-innings batting heroics, when she scored 71, and her departure sparked a collapse as Anya Shrubsole ripped through the tail.
QUICK SINGLE: Full scorecard here
The loss means Australia must win five out of the next six limited-overs matches in the multi-format series to reclaim the Women’s Ashes trophy.
Perry and Elliott had returned to the crease with Southern Stars in trouble at 5-57 and were immediately on the front foot, scoring 36 runs off the first five overs.
The introduction of Shrubsole slowed the scoring rate dramatically, the fast-medium bowler having the knack of hitting the cracks that had opened up overnight on the WACA deck.
But after a few balls jagged off the pitch awkwardly it was a relatively benign delivery that snared Perry, the allrounder whipping a fuller ball that pitched on leg straight to Jenny Gunn at square leg.
Gunn was also drying up the runs from the Prindiville end, and after Perry’s departure the Australians quickly lost three wickets for the addition of just seven runs.
Elliott, who batted at No.3, battled bravely with the tailenders but couldn’t find a staying partner, and just before lunch she was beaten by an inswinging yorker from Katherine Brunt which took out leg stump.
It was Shrubsole who did the real damage though, dismissing Erin Osborne and Rene Farrell for ducks, while Gunn trapped Sarah Coyte lbw for seven.
QUICK SINGLE: Australia can still win Ashes on points
The Test win handed England a six-point advantage in the multi-format series and Australia must now regroup ahead of the first of three one-day internationals on Sunday in Melbourne.
The ODIs are worth two points each and will be followed by three T20 matches, also worth two points.
England need to win two of the remaining matches to seal victory in the series but Perry, who took eight wickets and scored 102 runs, said the Southern Stars are confident of winning in the shorter formats.
"Winning the Test match is a great head start for England because it's worth so many points," Perry said.
"But I think we've got a really good opportunity playing in these next six matches.
"Typically it's the kind of cricket we play the most. That's probably where we're most comfortable.
"There's every opportunity there for us to play well and win the majority of those matches, and hopefully get enough points to reclaim the Ashes. It's going to be a great challenge."
