Summary

  • Australia reach 56-1 after tricky session under lights - report

  • England bowled out for 170

  • Sciver-Brunt (51) only batter to resist dominant hosts

  • King stars with the ball (4-45)

  • Brown (2-47) impresses with pace

  • One-off Test, Melbourne, day one of four

Live Reporting

by Timothy Abraham & Sam Drury

  1. Aus 31-1

    An absolute seed from Nat Sciver-Brunt as she angles a delivery across Phoebe Litchfield, then finds a bit of nip off the pitch which beats the Aussie left-hander's defensive poke.

  2. How's stat?!

    Srinivas Vijaykumar
    Cricviz analyst

    BellEPA

    Excellent opening spell from Lauren Bell. She made the Australian batters defend 50% of her deliveries in the first six overs of her spell, and tempted Voll with a full delivery leading to her dismissal.

  3. Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    You'd be fuming if you were bowled out after the seagulls flew across the sightscreen.

    This is madness, there's so many.

  4. Aus 27-1

    Lauren Bell ends down a tight over, conceding just a single.

    The MCG outfield is now being swarmed by gulls of various sizes in search of food, or perhaps the chance to sledge England's players.

    They are Australian gulls after all.

  5. Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    For me, the perception of the pink ball under the floodlights is the most difficult thing.

  6. Aus 26-1

    MCGGetty Images

    Phoebe Litchfield prods a delivery from Nat Sciver-Brunt into the off side and sets off for a brisk single. Next ball, Annabel Sutherland takes on a Sciver-Brunt bouncer and there's a noise which prompts Amy Jones to appeal.

    However, England decline the review on the basis it has skimmed the top of Annabel Sutherland's helmet rather than come off her bat.

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  8. Steven Finn
    Former England fast bowler on TNT Sports

    MCGGetty Images

    England have not chased wickets and kept their discipline. They have the chance to take some more wickets in the rest of the session and put the pressure back on Australia.

  9. Australia 26-1 at drinks

    A brief break for drinks before the final 40 minutes or so of play.

  10. Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    Lauren Bell has bowled nicely through this series. She's been really consistent, she's got the ball to move off the surface. I've been really impressed with her actually.

  11. Aus 26-1

    Really good from Lauren Bell, who is puffing out her cheeks, and giving it her all. Annabel Sutherland sees of a maiden from the tall opening England seam bowler.

  12. Sarah Elliott
    Ex-Australia batter on BBC Sounds

    It's been a great series if you're an Australian supporter.

  13. Aus 25-1

    If you're wondering how much play is left today.

    The scheduled close of play is 10:30 GMT but with a minimum of 16 overs left in the day we'll play an extra 30 minutes until 11:00 to get as many of those in as we can.

  14. Sarah Elliott
    Ex-Australia batter on BBC Sounds

    Kate Cross has been a big loss for this England bowling line-up. She would've done well in these conditions. There's certainly a big hole in the English bowling line-up in terms of experience.

  15. Aus 24-1

    A change of bowling for England as Nat Sciver-Brunt is chucked the pink ball. Can she get it to nip about a bit under lights? She starts with three dots

    Meanwhile, Cricket Australia have released a statement saying Ellyse Perry won’t bat tonight and she’ll be reassessed tomorrow morning.

  16. Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    WicketGetty Images

    England have been pretty impressive with the ball. Lauren Filer is getting the ball to shape, same with Lauren Bell. They're just adding a little bit of pressure but Australia will be pretty confident.

    They've been dominant this series. We've used that word most days but it's the truth.

  17. Henry Moeran
    Test Match Special commentator

    I think England have been pretty impressive with the ball so far.

  18. Aus 24-1

    Annabel Sutherland off the mark from her first ball courtesy of a fabulous straight drive off Lauren Bell for four. That skimmed past mid-on and all the way along the carpet to the boundary rope.

  19. Aus 19-1

    Make than a maiden over from Lauren Filer. England are applying some pressure here. A testing session for Australia ahead.

    If you're wondering why Ellyse Perry has not come out first drop for Australia. She's getting a hip injury, picked up while fielding, assessed.

  20. Thanks, Sam.

    Annabel Sutherland is the new batter for Australia. She's at the non-striker's end as Phoebe Litchfield mixes defensive play and leaves the first three balls of Lauren Filer's over.