England still full of belief at Trent Bridge despite Australia dominance

By Sam Dalling at Trent Bridge

A defiant Sophie Ecclestone still believes England women can make the 152 runs required to claim what would be a historic Ashes Test victory.

Ecclestone’s 5 for 63 – her second five-wicket haul of the match – helped dismiss Australia for 257 shortly after tea on Day Four, setting up a tantalising 268-run chase.

But despite a fast start, England had slipped to 116 for 5 by close and face an uphill battle on what is the first Day Five of a women’s Test since 1992.

“We’ll always believe in that dressing room,” Ecclestone said. “We’re definitely going into tomorrow ready to win that Test match. We’re going to go away tonight and figure out how we’re going to win the Test.

“The England team are all smiling and we’re buzzing for tomorrow. The five wickets are a blow but that’s Test cricket for you.”

Ecclestone admitted that coach Jon Lewis had given the side “a bit of a rocket” after a below par performance with the ball late on Saturday but said that she was “really proud” of how the team had responded on Sunday.

And that pride was well-placed: with an hour of the day remaining, the narrative was very different. England had taken nine Australia wickets for 108 runs before Tammy Beaumont and Emma Lamb had raced to 50 inside nine overs.

But as the sun set and the floodlights were turned on, momentum quickly shifted. England’s top-order buckled. Within five overs, 55 for 0 became 74 for 4, the introduction of Ashleigh Gardner’s off-spin proving crucial.

Beaumont immediately edged to slip before Gardner’s next over claimed Nat Sciver-Brunt without scoring. Those wickets were bookended by Tahlia McGrath trapping Lamb leg-before. A DRS reviews failed to save Lamb by a whisker. After an over’s grace, Gardner turned one into Heath Knight’s pads and, again, DRS could do nothing to help England.

Suddenly, everyone remembered this is Australia, one of the world’s dominant sporting sides. England’s task became harder still when Sophia Dunkley gave Kim Garth her maiden Test wicket shortly before close, with Danni Wyatt (20) and Kate Cross (5*) left to see out the final few overs.

Story continues

“It just shows that Test cricket changes so fast.” Ecclestone said. “We came off the pitch (after bowling Australia out) and we were flying but things happen so fast and it’s how you react to them. Dan and Crossy played really well to get us through to the end of the day. We’ll have to come back tomorrow and put them back under pressure.”

Few can blame Ecclestone for her defiance. After 46.2 overs in the first innings, she was nicknamed ‘Merlyn’– after programmable bowling machine England men first utilised in the run-up to 2005 Ashes – because she can bowl all day. And that is virtually what she did, at least until Australia ran out of batters.

Her morning 10 over spell was wicketless, but there was barely a run to be had, despite fielders, and plenty of them, surrounding the bat. And then, after Lauren Filer had dismissed Ellyse Perry and McGrath just before lunch, Ecclestone was pivotal to a magic hour just after it: Australia added just twenty runs for four wickets, with Ecclestone claiming three of them.

That trio included Beth Mooney, the big one.  Sharp turn meant Mooney’s attempted deftness only diverted the ball onto the stumps. Off wheeled Ecclestone ala Imran Tahir in sheer delight, while off trotted Mooney for 85.

“When you go into Test matches, we always say that you always come out with memories from the game, of what happen in that Test match,” Ecclestone explained. “That hour where Filer, me, and Crossy were bowling was one of the finest hours I reckon we’ve had.

“After it, we were just like ‘what actually happened in that last hour, it was mad that’. It is obviously really good for the spectacle and really good to be on the pitch doing that.”

After tea, Ecclestone removed opposition captain Alyssa Healy and Darcie Brown to finish a spell of 16.5 consecutive overs with 5 for 25. Merlyn indeed: in all, Ecclestone bowled  77.1 overs across the match, claiming 10 for 192.

“I’m absolutely buzzing,” she said of her achievement, admitting scoring the winning runs would top it all off.  “There’s been a lot of hard work, a lot of overs put in up until this point. I really wanted a five-fer and to get two I’m absolutely made up.”

If England do cede defeat here, they may well reflect on opportunities missed. Crucially, Mooney was given a life on 55 and Healy edged behind without scoring. It was a difficult chance with Amy Jones up to the stumps, but the combined 80 runs might just prove the difference.

“There’s always things that happen in a Test match,” said Ecclestone asked about those drops. “Dropped catches go down and it’s how you come back from them. And I think our team come back really well from the mistakes we made and up for it today.”

In the wider context of this multi-format series, the result of this Test is gargantuan. If Australia emerge victorious, they will need just two wins from six white-ball games to retain the Ashes. A formidable task given Australia are current ODI and T20i world champions.

But an England triumph remains possible. The ECB’s push for an extra day could still prove invaluable. And to encourage a further boost to what are already record crowd numbers, entry is free.

England vs Australia, day four: as it happened

07:06 PM BST

Australia close in on first Ashes Test triumph since 2015

Despite Emma Lamb and Tammy Beaumont putting on opening stand of 55, Gardner’s introduction to the attack was the catalyst for a top-order collapse as England ended day four on 116/5.

Australia require five wickets to collect a first Ashes Test triumph since 2015 and seal a sizeable four points that would go a long way to helping them retain the urn in this multi-format series.

Join us tomorrow for the fifth and final day at Trent Bridge.

06:57 PM BST

Sophie Ecclestone speaks with Sky Sports

06:47 PM BST

Ash Gardner speaks with Sky Sports

06:39 PM BST

Time on day four: England finish on 116/5

England need 152 with five wickets to play with tomorrow

It was a day in which Sophie Ecclestone took five wickets to give her a remarkable 10 for this Test match.

It’s been a bumper day of action: 291 runs, 15 wickets and the result is still in the balance, although you would favour Australia at this stage.

They will be the favourites now to secure a win in this first event of the Ashes.

06:33 PM BST

OVER 28: ENG 116/5 (Cross 5 Wyatt 20)

Garth bowls the last over of day 4. The majority of these deliveries are going to pepper away at these stumps, making Cross play every one of them.

Perry with the dive, it goes over the top, and Cross finds the boundary with the off drive. Chiseling another four. England still fighting.

06:30 PM BST

OVER 27: ENG 112/5 (Cross 1 Wyatt 20)

Gardner in for this over – Cross and Wyatt are restricted to a couple of singles, a cut and pull.

06:27 PM BST

OVER 26: ENG 110/5 (Cross 0 Wyatt 19)

A good over there for Australia – Dunkley departs in it to be replaced by Kate Cross – England on 110/5.

06:26 PM BST

Wicket!

Dunkley c Healy b Garth 16.

The partnership is broken. It was a feather through to Healey, just nicked by Dunkley. England were just digging themselves out of trouble. Despair for Dunkley and England fans.

 FOW 110/5.

06:21 PM BST

OVER 25: ENG 108/4 (Dunkley 16 Wyatt 19)

Wyatt with a boundary. There was risk involved in that square cut, it was aerial for a bit, but it goes for four.

A brief pause in the over as the shin guards and helmet come out for Litchfield.

06:17 PM BST

OVER 24: ENG 102/4 (Dunkley 15 Wyatt 14)

The swing, full from Dunkley, but she doesn’t make a connection with it. She’s gone for it, but the delivery from McGrath spins away at the death.

06:13 PM BST

OVER 23: ENG 101/4 (Dunkley 15 Wyatt 13)

An excellent cover drive from Wyatt to open the over.

A little flatter and faster from Gardner on the third.

Gardner is trying to exploit the space between bat and pad, but Wyatt  finds a way through with a late cut.

And that’s the 100 for England.

06:09 PM BST

OVER 22: ENG 94/4 (Dunkley 15 Wyatt 6)

An excellent maiden over from McGrath.

06:06 PM BST

OVER 21: ENG 94/4 (Dunkley 15 Wyatt 6)

Thick outside edge from Dunkley and England pick up the four. A risky shot, especially if you think back to the dismissal of Knight. With that sort of shot, you can edge it to the slip or onto the stumps. But she gets away with it.

06:04 PM BST

OVER 20: ENG 89/4 (Dunkley 10 Wyatt 6)

McGrath back on the bowl. Wyatt leaves the first couple of deliveries. McGrath targets the stumps on the final ball. Limiting England’s scoring opportunities effectively.

06:00 PM BST

OVER 19: ENG 88/4 (Dunkley 9 Wyatt 6)

Very watchful from Dunkley. Straight blade. Staying patient under the attack from Gardner.

England need 184 to win. Australia need six wickets.

05:58 PM BST

OVER 18: ENG 87/4 (Dunkley 8 Wyatt 6)

Wyatt manages to squeeze an inner in for four with a late cut. There are signs that England are steadying this. There are 10 more overs expected today.

05:54 PM BST

OVER 17: ENG 82/4 (Dunkley 7 Wyatt 2)

Gardner causing all sorts of problems for England. The pitch is doing a little bit for the spinners.

Brollies are going up at Trent Bridge, the weather is beginning to turn.

05:50 PM BST

OVER 16: ENG 79/4 (Dunkley 6 Wyatt 0)

England’s two T20 openers in the middle now. McGrath on the bowl. They finish with a four, the ball running behind, going like an off break behind. Looks like it must’ve nipped back off a crack on the seam.

05:47 PM BST

OVER 15: ENG 73/4 (Wyatt 0 Dunkley 5)

Wyatt goes in for the dismissed Knight. Australia look delighted at the current state of this match.

05:45 PM BST

Wicket!

Knight lbw b Gardner 9.

Pitched outside off, but it hits Knight’s pads before the bat and the decision is confirmed after a DRS review. Off goes the captain.

England are crumbling. Four wickets falling in the last five overs for England. 

FOW 73/4.

05:40 PM BST

OVER 14: ENG 71/3 (Dunkley 4 Knight 8)

Dunkley gets off her mark with a pull. England on 71/3. Can they steady the ship?

05:39 PM BST

OVER 13: ENG 66/3 (Dunkley 0 Knight 7)

Knight opens her account with a six, beautifully driven out the longest part of the pitch.

Crisis for England though with the demise of Sciver-Brunt. Sophia Dunkley is in to replace her.

05:37 PM BST

Wicket!

Sciver-Brunt c Garth b Gardner 0.

Sciver-Brunt tips the ball up behind, high up and it’s caught by Garth. She’s out for a duck. This isn’t looking too good for England now – how quickly things have changed. 

FOW 66/3.

05:33 PM BST

OVER 12: ENG 59/2 (Sciver-Brunt 0 Knight 0)

McGrath goes for the stumps with the first ball against Sciver-Bunt who replaces Lamb.

05:31 PM BST

Wicket!

Lamb lbw b McGrath 28.

It’s bowled onto the leg stump. There’s a DRS review, but the lbw is confirmed. Lamb goes for a positively-played 28.

FOW 59/2. 

05:26 PM BST

OVER 11: ENG 59/1 (Lamb 28 Knight 0)

Heather Knight replaces the dismissed Beaumont at the crease.

Gardner just got the line wrong on that final ball of the over, sending it behind for a boundary four to end.

05:22 PM BST

Wicket!

Beaumont c Mooney b Gardner 22.

Beaumont has guided that straight into the hands of first slip off the first ball from Gardner. It a fantastic grab from Mooney after Beaumont edges it.

FOW 55/1.

05:15 PM BST

OVER 10: ENG 55/0 (Lamb 28 Beaumont 22)

It’s very gentle at the moment, pace-wise from McGrath.

Just one from the over for England.

A short drinks break to come. A very assured start from England.

05:12 PM BST

OVER 9: ENG 54/0 (Lamb 28 Beaumont 21)

More profiteering in that third-man area for Lamb – two more runs there.

Lamb through mid-wicket for another four. A high class shot, played through the legside.

05:08 PM BST

OVER 8: ENG 48/0 (Lamb 22 Beaumont 21)

It’s a poor delivery, short from Garth, and it has been nailed through that leg side. A great dive from Brown, but she fails to get a hand on it to prevent the boundary.

A legside boundary on the final ball of the over from Beaumont. It’s a wonderful start for England – 48 without loss.

05:03 PM BST

OVER 7: ENG 39/0 (Lamb 22 Beaumont 13)

Sutherland’s been given the nod by her captain.

Scrambled cross-seam delivery. Edged by Lamb, no third slip and that’s to the boundary for four.

Repeat on the next delivery! A little more heartache for Australia.

Lamb square cuts on the next, earning another two runs. She is loving this area.

It’s a costly over for Australia – 11 from this one.

04:58 PM BST

OVER 6: ENG 28/0 (Lamb 11 Beaumont 13)

Beaumont finds the gap with the off drive – there’s very little room there, that’s well-time. A good chase from Perry, but it’s ultimately unsuccessful. That goes for four. Really promising stuff here from England.

04:55 PM BST

OVER 5: ENG 24/0 (Lamb 11 Beaumont 9)

A lovely looking off drive shot from Beaumont who manages to evade the hands of Brown.

What a shot on the last ball of the over from Emma Lamb, weighted nicely for the half-volley, striding into the ball to go square. Four.

04:51 PM BST

OVER 4: ENG 19/0 (Lamb 7 Beaumont 8)

Garth’s over. McGrath is unable to save the extra run backing up as the wickets are in the crosshairs. Two easy ones for England, keeping Lamb on strike.

Lamb pulls on the next, but there is cover there. They went for two, but had to scurry a bit at the end.

04:46 PM BST

OVER 3: ENG 15/0 (Lamb 3 Beaumont 8)

Pulled away with a good degree of control from Beaumont to find an early boundary, knocked to deep square leg. She’s off the mark.

She follows with a superb drive to mid-wicket for another four. An expensive wicket for Australia.

04:41 PM BST

OVER 2: ENG 6/0 (Lamb 2 Beaumont 0)

Kim Garth bowls the second over. Just wide of the crease with the third ball. A late call to play it and Lamb nicks a single to send Beaumont on strike.

Very good bowling on the next, drawing Beaumont in.

Good signs for Australia, the ball is moving about a lot. Australia ask for an lbw review on the next – but the umpire’s not-out decision is upheld, although it reveals that the ball was only a whisker wide of the stump.

04:35 PM BST

OVER 1: ENG 5/0 (Lamb 1 Beaumont 0)

Darcie Brown is first up on the bowl for Australia.

A perfect start for England. A wayward delivery that’s scooped behind by Lamb for a four as the chase begins.

Australia are going at the stumps from early on. Five from the first over.

04:30 PM BST

Here’s more from Sam Dalling at Trent Bridge

And Sophie Ecclestone is wheeling away again, her teammates giving chase. 5fer…again; 10 in the match; and 267 for England to seal a historic victory. Ecclestone has operated virtually unchanged from the Radcliffe Road End all day. This second spell: 16.5 – 4 – 35 – 5. The last three wickets fall for…check notes…zero runs. Absolutely magic.

A note of caution though, Australia have three spinners of their own and the pitch is starting to offer a little. This could still go either way.

For what it is worth, the highest successful chase in women’s Tests by the way is just 198, back in the 2011 Ashes. Ellyse Perry and Alyssa Healy will remember it well, having come out on top. But I’m not sure, given the whole ‘5 day’ thing, how relevant that is. If at all.

04:22 PM BST

Wicket! Australia all out for 257

Brown lbw b Ecclestone 0.

What a spell of bowling from Ecclestone. Ten wickets across the Test so far.

AUSTRLIA ALL OUT FOR 257.

04:19 PM BST

Wicket!

Healy c Lamb b Ecclestone 50.

There goes the captain. Ecclestone with a poor bowl, but Healy attacks it and drives high through mid-wicket. It’s caught by Emma Lamb and Australia are down to their last wicket.

FOW 257/9.

04:16 PM BST

OVER 78: 257/8 (Healy 47 Garth 0)

A change in the bowling; it’s the first time today we’re going to see Lauren Bell.

A loosener for the first. Healey pulls it, trying to pick out the gap, but Beaumont sprints over and makes the block to save the boundary. Two for Healey.

Nicely played by Healey on the fourth ball, and she makes her half-century with a cover drive.

04:15 PM BST

Wicket!

King c Knight b Bell 9.

A cross-seamer from Lauren Bell, it’s edged and it’s a comfortable catch for the captain behind, at about shin height.

Kim Garth is the next batter to the crease for Australia.

FOW 257/8.

04:08 PM BST

OVER 77: AUS 254/7 (Healy 47 King 9)

And we’re back. Ecclestone is first up on the bowl. King on strike to begin with.

And it’s a maiden to start.

03:49 PM BST

Kate Cross speaks with Sky Sports

03:45 PM BST

OVER 76: AUS 254/7 (Healy 47 King 9)

Filer in for the 76th.

Short, wide and put away by Healy who cuts it late for another boundary. The Australian skipper has stopped England in their tracks after that initial post-lunch flurry from the hosts. A couple of defensive shots from Healy to finish.

England owned the first half of that session, but Australia wrangled back control in the second.

And that’s tea. Play will resume at 4:05pm.

03:40 PM BST

OVER 75: AUS 248/7 (Healy 42 King 9)

Again that’s gone off the edge from Healy off the first delivery by Ecclestone. Sophia Dunkley chases after it, but Healy still grabs two.

03:37 PM BST

OVER 74: AUS 245/7 (Healy 39 King 9)

Filer is back.

Healy pulls away off the first delivery, over the top of midwicket – Sophia Dunkley in there.

A lovely off drive follows and it goes all the way along for four, straight down the middle of the wicket. This will need a response from the quick bowler.

All the way legside off the next, protected by deep-backward square.

A good leave by King off the final ball. 245/7.

03:31 PM BST

OVER 73: AUS 238/7 (Healy 32 King 9)

The sweep from Healy and its fired enough for it to go for four. Just for once, Ecclestone overcooked it a little, drifting right, offside. Healy pounced.

03:29 PM BST

OVER 72: AUS 233/7 (Healy 27 King 9)

Sciver-Brunt falls to the floor on the final ball of the over. She’ll head off for some treatment – hopefully everything is ok. She’s had some issues with her knee going into this.

03:25 PM BST

More from Sam Dalling

Good from Australia this, just frustrating England. Heather Knight has got very little wrong all day but burning through a pair of reviews in quick succession could prove costly. Neither ever felt “out”.

Time for a little Lauren Filer before tea? C’mon Heather – make it happen…

03:24 PM BST

OVER 71: AUS 233/7 (Healy 27 King 9)

Healy is desperately trying to find a bit of room in the off stump to plot a way through.

It’s followed by a little bit of hesitation, Healy running out but then changing her mind, forcing her to dive in as Jones gathers from close range.

03:20 PM BST

OVER 70: AUS 233/7 (Healy 27 King 9)

Cut powerfully for two from Healy. The situation here is playing to her advantage.

Knight just manages to keep Healy’s cut out from the the reverse boundary.

03:17 PM BST

OVER 69: AUS 228/7 (Healy 22 King 9)

Edged wide of slip from King. Cross sprints to the boundary to try to prevent the four, but she can’t quite scoop it away.

Australia have just take the sting out of England’s attack here, steadying the ship after a string of rapid dismissals.

03:14 PM BST

OVER 68: AUS 224/7 (Healy 22 King 5)

Healy looks pretty happy at 22 from 30 deliveries.

03:09 PM BST

OVER 67: AUS 222/7 (Healy 21 King 4)

Sliding down leg from Ecclestone on the first ball. But it doesn’t look like Knight is interested in the review.

Through the offside from Healy: a nice positive approach from the Australian captain to earn her an important four.

Knight calls for a review off the next ball for an lbw shout. It’s not out. England have one review remaining.

03:05 PM BST

OVER 66: AUS 217/7 (Healy 16 King 4)

Sciver-Brunt is re-introduced into the attack. She’s already bowled five overs today, before lunch.

Healy onto the back foot from the first ball and she connects with the middle of the bat and sends it with a cover drive. Boundary four. The last one jags back in to King. She’s got a lot of cutters, getting a little bit of grip out of the surface.

03:00 PM BST

OVER 65: AUS 212/7 (Healy 11 King 4)

Ecclestone back on bowl. A little fumble on the drive and Healy sneaks a single. King back on strike.

Just the single from the over.

02:58 PM BST

OVER 64: AUS 211/7 (Healy 10 King 4)

Just the one run that over. Cross keeping Healy and King pinned back.

Do Australia declare, or will England bowl them all out?

02:53 PM BST

OVER 63: AUS 210/7 (Healy 9 King 4)

King finds some space through the onside. The length is just full enough so she can smother the ball. Her first boundary and she’s off the mark. Fortunate there – if it had bounced just two inches earlier, she could’ve been in real trouble.

02:50 PM BST

OVER 62: AUS 206/7 (Healy 9 King 0)

Healy cuts for four following a poor delivery from Kate Cross. A short ball follows, surprise delivery from Cross. Finishing off with a little tickle fine.

02:47 PM BST

Sam Dalling is at Trent Bridge

Now then. Sophie Ecclestone – whose latest nickname is ‘Merlin’, after the infamous spin bowling machine which can also bowl all day – has picked up a pair of quick wickets. First, Jess Jonassen and then Beth Mooney, the big ‘un. Off Ecclestone wheels ala Imran Tahir.

Kate Cross is into the action next: Ashleigh Gardner came, Ashleigh Gardner went just the one added. Steve Cripps with some fine work on the camera, proving, beyond doubt, the ball flew straight to Heather Knight at slip. England are on top here and the crowd, the players, everyone, are loving it.

And not even time for me to press send before Annabel Sutherland has toed one up and Ecclestone has her third. Magical.

Hosts favourites now, surely? I suspect we can rule out the declaration.

02:45 PM BST

OVER 61: AUS 198/7 (Healy 2 King 0)

King is in for Sutherland. England are on fire right now. Australia have three more wickets and are 208 ahead.

A whole day still for England tomorrow.

02:42 PM BST

Wicket!

Sutherland c Wyatt b Ecclestone 15.

There’s another one! Not the best delivery from Eccleston, but it just catches the toe of  Sutherland’s bat and Wyatt makes the catch as it’s pulled over the top. She makes amends for that earlier drop. England are flying.

FOW 198/7.

02:38 PM BST

OVER 60: AUS 198/6 (Healy 2 Sutherland 15)

Alyssa Healy is in for Gardner.

Cross goes on the attack after Gardner is bowled. Healy nicks it to take it an inch away from the stumps. Every single delivery that’s coming down at the moment feels like its got a batter’s name on it.

Healy manages to cut it through on the final ball.

02:35 PM BST

Wicket!

Gardner c Knight b Cross 1.

Outside edge from Gardner from Cross’s delivery and it’s caught by Knight.

FOW 196/6.

02:32 PM BST

OVER 59: AUS 196/5 (Gardner 1 Sutherland 15)

Ashleigh Gardner replaces Mooney, who was close to her century before being bowled by Eccleston.

A successful over for Ecclestone: 196/5.

02:30 PM BST

Wicket!

Mooney b Ecclestone 85.

Ecclestone has her second. It turned big off the inside-edge and onto off stump.

FOW 195/7.

02:27 PM BST

OVER 58: AUS 195/4 (Mooney 85 Sutherland 15)

Wyatt still wringing her hand after that dropped catch that came at her with some ferocity.

A great shot from Sutherland, through the legside. She just leant forward and gave a flick of the wrists to guide it through to that region and get her first boundary.

An edge from Sutherland, and it whistles past the gloves of Amy Jones! It just misses her right hand.

A second edge from Sutherland to add insult to injury. An expensive over from England, but good bowling from Cross.

02:22 PM BST

OVER 57: AUS 183/4 (Mooney 85 Sutherland 3)

Ecclestone now. Just a little quicker on the second, speared in, probing Sutherland’s resolve.

A sweep on the final ball, Wyatt at backward square, but it evades her. Firmly hit, skimming towards he but she just couldn’t hold on. Three runs from Sutherland. Another dropped catch from England.

02:18 PM BST

OVER 56: AUS 179/4 (Mooney 84 Sutherland 0)

Cross back on bowl. Australia are limited to just the one run for the over.

02:15 PM BST

OVER 55: AUS 178/4 (Mooney 83 Sutherland 0)

Ecclestone back on now.

A really good bowl, it holds it line, it’s given a gentle prod by Mooney and Jones gathers and tries to knock her out, but he foot is in and grounded.

Jonassen goes for 14. Sutherland is in.

02:13 PM BST

Wicket!

Eccleston b Jonassen 14.

Jonassen tries to take on the sweep, but it has just managed to sneak through, a tad too quick and it smashes the wicket.

FOW 178/4.

02:09 PM BST

OVER 54: AUS 177/3 (Mooney 82 Jonassen 14)

Kate Cross back into the attack now. Filer not quite as effective as she was before lunch and so the skipper’s changed tack.

02:04 PM BST

OVER 53: AUS 173/3 (Mooney 82 Jonassen 10)

A slightly lower pitch from Ecclestone to give Mooney a drive chance and reach the boundary – which she meets.

Another drive from Mooney, there’s coverage there this time. But Mooney holds the trigger.

02:01 PM BST

OVER 52: AUS 169/3 (Mooney 79 Jonassen 10)

A square cut from Mooney from Filer’s second ball, which the field is equal to. It’s then glanced, allowing Mooney to grab another single. An easy couple follows.

Mightily close from Filer on the final ball, but for a last minute sweep from Mooney which stroked her pad after making contact with the bat.

01:56 PM BST

OVER 51: AUS 163/3 (Mooney 75 Jonassen 8)

Ecclestone probing. Mooney thinking about the sweep, but she defensively shapes last-minute.

01:53 PM BST

OVER 50: AUS 163/3 (Mooney 75 Jonassen 8)

There she is – Lauren Filer is back. Even though that first one is down the leg side, it looks like she’s going to be threatening every single ball.

Mooney’s shaped a square cut for a single to put Jonassen on strike. For the final ball, Jonassen drives for the boundary, counter-attacking that pace from Filer. Lots of intent there. She’s not showing signs of being intimidated.

01:48 PM BST

OVER 49: AUS 158/3 (Mooney 74 Jonassen 4)

In the interest of keeping play going; they’re playing without DRS for now.

Now we’re hearing that DRS is available, but there is no DRS timer.

Ecclestone on the first over after lunch. She’s darting the ball in to the leg stump, she’s mixing her speeds up. From 47 to 52 mph.

01:45 PM BST

Power failure

Is what we’re hearing and this is affecting the game because of DRS, hence the delay to the start of play.

01:04 PM BST

OVER 48: AUS 157/3 (Mooney 73 Jonassen 4)

What a match-up here. A little punch off the back foot from Jonassen from Filer’s bowl and they settle for a two.

Filer comes back around for the final ball. It’s in the air and it’s through with an off drive, a little more air time there. Jonassen has been put through a testing patch from Filer – but she survived.

And that’s lunch. Back at 1:40pm, Australia’s lead is 167. 

12:59 PM BST

Thoughts from Sam Dalling

The power of pace. Heather Knight has held Lauren Filer back for a quick burst shortly before lunch. And “quick” is very much the operative word. The crowd are enjoying it; Filer is enjoying it; England are enjoying it.

The Australian’s though are a squirming a little. Both Perry and McGrath have succumbed already. My how England would love another just before feeding time. Test cricket at its best.

12:58 PM BST

OVER 47: AUS 153/3 (Mooney 73 Jonassen 0)

Very fine from Mooney, sweeping the ball away from the leg side. She’s looked pretty comfortable.

Loud, definite shout of “No!” from Mooney following her short cover drive. The runs have dried up for Australia.

12:56 PM BST

OVER 46: AUS 151/3 (Mooney 71 Jonassen 0)

Jess Jonassen comes in for the bowled McGrath. The crowd are slow-clapping into every one of Filer’s bowls, recognising the great cricket on display.

She’s coming around the wicket, going at Jonassen, wanting her to play. The quickest delivery up there.

Two wicket maidens in a row for Filer. More pressure is needed here for England.

12:52 PM BST

Wicket!

Filer b McGrath 1.

Spun in towards the leg stump, just flicking the McGrath’s pad and uprooting the leg stump. This was the wicket England wanted before lunch! Terrific from Filer on the first ball of the 46th over.

FOW 151/3. 

12:50 PM BST

OVER 45: AUS 151/2 (Mooney 71 McGrath 1)

Knight back on bowl. A slight change of the field going into the final bowl. The cover sweeper on the boundary is pushing up.

McGrath on strike for the upcoming over.

12:47 PM BST

OVER 44: AUS 149/2 (Mooney 70 McGrath 0)

McGrath comes in for the bowled Perry. Angling in on the final bowl, playing last-minute and stabbing the ball into the ground to survive.

Filer finishes. The completion of a wicket maiden.

12:44 PM BST

Wicket!

Filer b Perry 25.

Darting back in off the surface from and onto the inside-edge of Perry’s bat and onto her wicket. A fabulous start for Lauren Filer on her first over of the day.

FOW 149/2.

12:40 PM BST

OVER 43: AUS 149/1 (Mooney 70 Perry 25)

Mooney drives one to take the partnership to the 50 mark.

12:36 PM BST

OVER 42: AUS 147/1 (Mooney 68 Perry 25)

Sciver-Brunt back on. Mooney wants it, she loves a little drop and run, but she pulls back and returns to the crease as the England field reacts rapidly to her short cover drive.

Hard going for England, Australia now leading by 157.

12:33 PM BST

OVER 41: AUS 146/1 (Mooney 67 Perry 25)

The skipper Heather Knight is going in to bowl for this one. Mooney is fancying the cover drive from Knight’s deliveries. She gets a single to put Perry on strike.

A little bit of a turn from the off stump. A bit of a feather, no chance for Ecclestone there. Just a bit of a parry as it rolls behind.

12:28 PM BST

OVER 40: AUS 141/1 (Mooney 66 Perry 21)

It looked like a cutter from Sciver-Brunt on the third. She’s getting a little bit more movement on the surface now.

12:24 PM BST

OVER 39: AUS 136/1 (Mooney 63 Perry 19)

An excellent over from Ecclestone. Two runs scored from Perry’s leg glance.

12:20 PM BST

OVER 38: AUS 134/1 (Mooney 63 Perry 17)

An edge from Mooney on the first delivery from Sciver-Brunt. She just opted to stay back on that one. Thick-offside edge to send it behind for a four. A couple of cover drives and Mooney earns another two to give Australia six from the over.

12:16 PM BST

OVER 37: AUS 128/1 (Mooney 57 Perry 17)

Helped on its way by Perry with a sweep – you don’t see this very often from Perry, hence the lack of cover there. Four. It’s an unusual field, but one that’s right for the batter. Just that one boundary from the over.

12:13 PM BST

OVER 36: AUS 124/1 (Mooney 57 Perry 13)

Sciver-Brunt back in. A bit of movement away on the final ball. Good take from Amy Jones.

12:11 PM BST

An update from Sam Dalling

Excellent start from England with the ball. So much tighter than yesterday. Whereas Ellyse Perry waited too long to turn to her spinners yesterday, Heather Knight went straight to Sophie Ecclestone. ‘Cakey’ as she is called, has offered turn, bounce and – crucially – control. The run rate across the 3 and a bit days here is hovering around 3.7(ish), but Ecclestone is only going at 2s.

What England need is wickets. They have one, an absolute beauty from Kate Cross. It nipped back via a crack, flicked Phoebe Litchfield’s pad and hit off stump. Never mind orange; Litchfield will be a little red in the face having twice fallen shouldering arms to Cross on Test debut. A review in the first innings would have saved her, but there was nowt DRS could have done this time.

You’ve got to hold your catches, though. Cross got away with shelling Litchfield four runs before getting her, but Nat Sciver-Brunt will be fuming at putting down Beth Mooney on 55. It was NSB’s first ball of the innings and it was a simple return catch. Mooney is arguably the best multi-format batter in the world right now and is seeking the join the ‘100 in Test, ODI and T20i’ club that Tammy Beaumont paid her subs for. My money is on her doing it.

Crowd still trickling in, but no where near yesterday’s record. Yet.

12:10 PM BST

OVER 35: AUS 122/1 (Mooney 56 Perry 12)

Ecclestone back on bowl. She’s really targeting that front pad.

Amy Jones again got to the wicket quickly, but on review it’s scratched. A brilliant over for England. No runs scored.

12:03 PM BST

OVER 34: AUS 122/1 (Mooney 56 Perry 12)

New bowler: Nat Sciver-Brunt. She only bowled five overs in the first innings due to a problem with her knee.

She’s dropped her first ball! Mooney straight to her. She knows that was a big opportunity, but it was a hard chance, hit back with force.

There’s a review for Nat Sciver-Brunt’s fifth bowl, the wicket-keeper whacking the stumps after Perry strays, but on the replay it’s clear that Perry got her foot back on the crease quickly enough.

11:56 AM BST

OVER 33: AUS 120/1 (Mooney 55 Perry 11)

England have bowled with really good control in the last few overs and are creating opportunities.

Ecclestone back bowling for this over. Perry steals a couple off a cover drive.

11:52 AM BST

OVER 32: AUS 117/1 (Mooney 54 Perry 9)

Two for the over. One apiece from Perry and Mooney.

11:48 AM BST

OVER 31: AUS 115/1 (Mooney 53 Perry 8)

Swept well by Mooney – and that takes her to 53. She will definitely be eyeing up the century. Some glorious shots out the ground from her.

Really good from Ecclestone though. That line outside off stump, making Mooney play through the covers.

11:44 AM BST

OVER 30: AUS 111/1 (Mooney 49 Perry 8)

Cross has got this deep cover on the boundary now, blocking over the boundary options. Perhaps some space in the midwicket area for Mooney?

England are just wrestling back a bit of control here.

11:40 AM BST

OVER 29: AUS 110/1 (Mooney 48 Perry 8)

Really good from Ecclestone. She’s building pressure. But beautifully played by Perry on the fourth delivery. Sublime timing to manipulate the ball through the left of extra cover, turning her bat at the last minute. Four from the over.

11:37 AM BST

OVER 28: AUS 106/1 (Mooney 48 Perry 4)

There are cracks forming now in this surface. If you hit one of those, it could happen for England.

Australia are in a position now where they can dictate terms. How much do they want? Australia were out the blocks so quickly last night, going out with four and fives an over.

11:33 AM BST

OVER 27: AUS 105/1 (Mooney 48 Perry 3)

Ellyse Perry on strike to start the over from Ecclestone. A good start from England so far with the ball. England know they can just plug Ecclestone in from this end.

A good chase down to the boundary from Beaumont to stop the four. A great effort. Three from the over.

11:30 AM BST

OVER 26: AUS 102/1 (Mooney 48 Perry 0)

Cross is sitting on a very nice line and length. Her stump shot to take Litchfield was delicious: a little bit of seam wobble.

A nice drive from Mooney, but there is protection out there from Danni Wyatt. That’ll be a couple.

11:25 AM BST

OVER 25: AUS 100/1 (Mooney 46 Perry 0)

Ecclestone keeps the new batter, who likes to come forward at the crease, under pressure. Australia pass the 100 mark at Trent Bridge. Just the one from the over.

11:24 AM BST

Early thoughts from Telegraph Sport’s Sam Dalling at Trent Bridge

Good morning from Trent Bridge. Sun is shining and I’m feeling extremely smug after an early dash along the river. Seriously, if you love you’re sport, there is no need to ever leave West Bridgford.

Day four is imminent. Can it live up to yesterday? Hmmmm it will do well but let’s give it a go. Last night, Australia stretched their lead to 92 courtesy of Beth Mooney and Orange’s finest Phoebe Litchfield (what a talent she is by the way, read more about her in fellow Orange citizen Mel Farrell’s fab interview). England were below par with the ball and will need to be better this morning.

Ashleigh Gardner was coy when asked last night if Australia would set-up a game. Surely they will push for a win though? And England will fancy chasing pretty much anything, too. Sounds good, right?

P.S. the press box debate this morning is Tim Tam versus Penguin. I am firmly pushing the latter’s cause.

11:22 AM BST

OVER 24: AUS 99/1 (Mooney 44 Perry 0)

Perry comes in for Litchfield.

11:20 AM BST

Wicket!

Cross b Litchfield 46

That has jagged a long, long way. That takes off stump with pace. She has made up for her dropped catch. England are off the mark.

FOW 99/1

11:16 AM BST

OVER 23: AUS 96/0 (Mooney 42 Litchfield 46)

Nice length and line found from Ecclestone this morning. The third squirts off the outside left of the bat from Litchfield providing her with a boundary four. Ecclestone tries to pull on the fourth.

11:13 AM BST

OVER 22: AUS 92/0 (Mooney 42 Litchfield 42)

Kate Cross has her left thumb taped up between overs. I think that’s where the ball hit as it was fired towards her from Litchfield.

Cross back on bowl for England for the 22nd over.

A bit of width on the fourth ball and Mooney pounces on it, guiding it through the covers for four. And again, driven again on the sixth.

11:08 AM BST

OVER 21: AUS 84/0 (Mooney 34 Litchfield 42)

Sophie Ecclestone in for the second over of the day.

A dropped catch from Kate Cross from the cover drive of Litchfield. That’s one she’ll be disappointed with. It would’ve been a super start from England’s point of view. A bit of turn from the final ball, close there!

11:03 AM BST

OVER 20: AUS 84/0 (Mooney 34 Litchfield 42)

Australia are in complete control of the Test match. What can England do?

Mooney off the first over from Kate Cross, who has got the first ball this morning. Plenty of cover on both sides. The field is set straight, only the one slip.

Mooney sends the first ball to the legside, getting two from the off.

The length is better from Cross this morning. Too many boundaries last night.

10:29 AM BST

Australia rebuild after Beaumont’s epic knock

Tammy Beaumont’s epic 208 saw England close out with a 10-run deficit after the first innings before Australia got their noses out in front by making 82 without loss to lead at the close of play on day three at Trent Bridge.

England’s seamers were leggy and wayward at the outset of Australia’s second innings, with Beth Mooney and Phoebe Litchfield putting on a 50-stand in just 55 balls as boundaries proved easy to come by.

With an enviable pool of batting talent to come – Annabel Sutherland scored a century from number eight first time around – Australia are already flying in a Test that is effectively a one-innings shootout.

One prospect is Australia trying to bat England out of the game then declare ahead of or early into day five but Beaumont insisted that scenario would not be followed by the hosts just going for a draw, with captain Heather Knight and head coach Jon Lewis having emphasised an attacking approach this summer.

“It’s still a good track to bat on,” Beaumont said. “There are plenty of runs out there to get and we want to push ourselves and we want to try and get a result, no one came here for a draw.

“If they set us a target I have a feeling we’ll be giving it a good old crack.”

Off-spinner Ashleigh Gardner, who was the pick of the Australia bowling attack with four for 99, was adamant the tourists do not have a total in mind before declaring.

“I would certainly say there’s probably going to be a result and that’s what we’re going to be pushing for,” she said. “But I don’t think there’s a real target in mind that we’ve spoken about as a group.”