Women’s Ashes 2014: Brindle & Shrubsole lead England fightback

All-rounder Arran Brindle and pace bowler Anya Shrubsole led England's fightback on the opening day of the Women's Ashes Test in Perth.

Brindle made 68, sharing a partnership of 64 with Lydia Greenway (22) to help England recover from 32-3.

Natalie Sciver added 49 as England were bowled out for 201, seam bowler Rene Farrell taking 4-43.

Shrubsole then removed openers Meg Lanning and Elyse Villani to reduce Australia to 9-2 at the close.

England, defending the Ashes they won at home last summer, handed Test debuts to Surrey all-rounder Scriver and Lancashire pace bowler Kate Cross.

Winning the toss in the sole Test of the multi-format series, they opted to make first use of the Waca pitch but were put in trouble by Australia's seamers.

After Heather Knight was caught by Jess Cameron off Holly Ferling's third delivery, Sarah Taylor and captain Charlotte Edwards were trapped lbw by Ellyse Perry and Sarah Coyte respectively.

It was left to Brindle to rebuild, first with Kent left-hander Greenway, then in a stand of 58 with Sciver.

But once Brindle, who hit 12 boundaries during her innings, fell to the final ball of the afternoon session, England collapsed.

They lost their last four wickets for 12 runs, with Farrell running through the lower-order and Perry claiming 3-41.

Australia had only six overs to face before the close, but they were unable to resist Somerset's Shrubsole.

Villani slashed to Knight at first slip in the second over before Lanning edged to wicketkeeper Taylor, as the Southern Stars closed 192 runs behind.

"We always backed ourselves to take a couple tonight. It sends out a message to the opposition and shows what we were about," said Brindle.

BBC Radio will have coverage of every ball of the Women's Ashes series. Most commentaries will be available on 5 Live Sports Extra, with continuous coverage online.