CUE: Australia's women cricketers, the Southern Stars are in a commanding position going into the final day of the Ashes Test in Canterbury. Having started their 2nd innings with a lead of 106, they extended that , closing on 90 for 4, on a day that was severely curtailed by the weather. Alison Mitchell reports.
Heavy storms meant only 38 overs were possible on day three but it was enough for Australia to extend their lead to a challenging hundred and ninety five, with 6 2nd innings wickets in hand. Katherine Brunt caused some Australian jitters at the start, ripping out Villani's off stump and trapping Lanning lbw, both for nought, and it was 2 for 2 in the 3rd over.
After the delay Perry edged behind a wide one; Bolton offered a catch to extra cover; and it could have been 68 for 5 but for the 3rd umpire judging a slip catch wasn't clean. A sprightly unbeaten 29 from Jess Jonassen though including a 6 over long on, pushed the lead towards 200 and Australia's conundrum will be when to declare, setting England a record target to win. This is Alison Mitchell from the women's Ashes in England
