Women's Ashes: Australia's Sarah Elliott makes England toil

Sarah Elliott starred for Australia on the first day of the Women's Ashes Test against England, scoring 95 not out on her return to international cricket, nine months after giving birth.

Australia won the toss at Wormsley and lost Rachael Haynes cheaply but Elliott shared stands of 70 with Meg Lanning (48) and 80 with Jess Cameron (50).

England sent down 100 overs as the Southern Stars finished on 243-3.

The Women's Ashes will be decided by all three formats of the game.

Seamer Katherine Brunt bowled tightly for England, starting with four maiden overs and only conceding 28 runs from 18 overs, but new-ball partner Anya Shrubsole - making her Test debut - made the early breakthrough, bowling Haynes for 10.

Lanning fell just short of a Test debut fifty, sent back by her partner attempting a third run as Brunt's throw from the boundary was gathered by keeper Sarah Taylor.

But the only other success for the hosts came when off-spinner Laura Marsh trapped Cameron lbw to leave Australia 167-3, before Elliott and the experienced Alex Blackwell saw them safely to the close.

Shrubsole said: "It's a good pitch to bat on but I think we can be really pleased with the way we've bowled and kept them to less than two-and-a-half an over on what is a fairly flat pitch."

Australia hold the Ashes after winning the last Test at Sydney in January 2011, the last international appearance for Elliott, whose baby son is on tour with her.

Match scorecard

Listen to live commentary of the Women's Ashes via the BBC Sport website, and on BBC Radio 5 sports extra once the men's Test is concluded.