Jess Jonassen marked her Test debut for the Australia women’s cricket team with an unbeaten 95 as her side recovered to 268 for eight on the first day of their one-off Ashes Test against England in Canterbury, England, on Tuesday.
England pace bowler Anya Shrubsole took four wickets either side of lunch, including the prize scalp of in-form Australia captain Meg Lanning (three) as the tourists, who had been 66 without loss, slumped to 87 for four.
They were 95 for five, but Jonassen, a 22-year-old Queenslander, batted for more than four hours to bring her side back into the game.
Photo: Reuters
Jonassen, happy just to be awarded the traditional baggy green cap that Australia reserves for its Test players, both male and female, said: “To get my baggy was really nice. I am just happy to contribute and to be not out at the end of the day. I never thought that would happen.”
‘GOOD PARTNERSHIPS’
“I had a few good partnerships out there and it kept me on track,” she added.
As for her long innings, she said: “It was mentally draining more than anything. I will go on the physio table tonight and hopefully get a good night’s rest and I will be ready to go again tomorrow.”
Meanwhile, Shrubsole said the match was in the balance, adding that fellow bowlers Katherine Brunt and Laura Marsh deserved more success.
‘EVEN-STEVENS’
“I think it has turned out even-stevens at the end of the day,” she said. “We were really happy to take eight wickets, but I will admit we found their ninth-wicket partnership a little frustrating.”
“Credit must go to Jess, because she batted really well and I felt Katherine bowled brilliantly for us, particularly with the new ball, with very little reward,” Shrubsole added.
This is a multi-format Ashes, in contrast to the men’s version, which saw England take an unbeatable 3-1 lead in a five-match series after victory by an innings and 78 runs in the fourth Test at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, England, on Saturday last week.
Australia’s women are currently four points to two in front after the one-day international leg of the series, but there are four points out of a remaining 10 on offer to the winners of the lone Test.
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