Tammy Beaumont struck a magnificent maiden Test century, leading England’s batting efforts as they aim to reel in Australia’s sizeable first-innings score of 473 in the Women’s Ashes Test at Trent Bridge.
Beaumont becomes just the second England woman to hit a hundred in all three formats after Heather Knight. The opener showcased her supreme talents throughout, benefiting from the odd slice of luck – none more so than when she was on 61, and Australia failed to detect and review an edge through to short leg off leg-spinner Alana King.
Following the reprieve, Tammy Beaumont cashed in and struck 16 boundaries on her way to a blistering 152-ball hundred, bringing it up in the penultimate over of the day.
She partnered in a 115-run stand for the second wicket with Knight (57) and powered on, receiving support from Nat Sciver-Brunt (41no), after the England skipper fell to Ashleigh Gardner (1-47). England closed the day on 218-2, still trailing by 255 runs.
Sutherland century has Australia on top early
Annabel Sutherland (137no) was the star of the show from an Australian point of view, the all-rounder hitting a magnificent maiden century as she, with the help of the tail, added 145 to the tourists’ overnight tally of 328-7.
Sophie Ecclestone (5-129) took two of the three wickets to fall for England to claim a first Test five-for, as well as a first in in any format against Australia.
Sutherland (1-28) too provided Australia’s opening breakthrough with the ball, tempting Emma Lamb (10) into the drive as the opener nicked off to second slip, but Beaumont’s brilliance has given cause for England optimism heading into day three.
This one-off Test match opens the 2023 multi-format Women’s Ashes series. Four points are awarded to the winner, with two for a draw. Three T20 internationals and three ODIs follow, where two points are on offer for each win and one for a tie or no result.
England, starting the second morning needing just three wickets to begin batting, will have been hoping for early inroads but were guilty of letting Australia off the hook