Summary

  • England win with 4.2 overs to spare

  • Sciver 66, Greenway 53

  • Aus 238-9: Perry 78, Blackwell 58

  • Brunt 3-48; four run-outs

  • England 2pts; Aus 0pts

  1. BBC coveragepublished at 18:05

    That's about it from us - but if you've got Ashes Fever and can't wait until Thursday for the next game, tune in to B BC Radio 5 live tonight from 20:30 BST when there's a Women's Ashes Special presented by Alison Mitchell, looking back on today's game.

    We'll be back on Thursday morning from about 10:00 BST for the second match in the series. And we'll expect you to be there too, ship-shape and Bristol fashion. Bye for now.

  2. Postpublished at 18:05 British Summer Time 21 July 2015

  3. Review of the daypublished at 18:04 British Summer Time 21 July 2015

    Katherine Brunt led from the front for England, making early breakthroughs with the new ball - and while Ellyse Perry (78) and Alex Blackwell (58) threatened to post a big score for the Southern Stars, some excellent fielding - including those four run-outs - pegged the tourists back.

    Aussie hopes were high after they removed England's top three of Edwards, Knight and Taylor - but it was another middle-order stand, this time by Lydia Greenway (53) and Natalie Sciver (66) which proved decisive.

    England take two points towards the multi-format Women's Ashes, and also pick up some much-needed ICC Women's Championship points as they head up the M5 to Bristol for the next ODI on Thursday.

  4. Postpublished at 17:57 British Summer Time 21 July 2015

  5. Fielding makes the difference?published at 17:52

    An age-old cricketing aphorism is that "catches win matches". A more modern observation is that direct hits often bring run-outs - and I'd wager those four run-outs in the Australian innings, three of them from direct hits, made a huge difference to their innings.

  6. Postpublished at 17:45 British Summer Time 21 July 2015

    Alison Mitchell
    BBC Test Match Special

    Quote Message

    The crowd aren't really leaving, they're waiting with their autograph books and '4' signs for the England players. I remember in 2005 and 2009 when there weren't really enough journalists at the games to even warrant a press conference, so it's a good sign.

  7. Player of the matchpublished at 17:43 British Summer Time 21 July 2015

    England all-rounder Natalie Sciver, who made 66: "It was tough at the start, Australia were bowling really well and we had to rebuild the innings. It was up to me and Lyd to stick to our strengths. [On nearly being run out] I was saying to the umpire I was very stupid - I will run my bat in, in future! It would have been nice to be there at the end but it was good that Georgia and Katherine could finish it for us."

    Natalie SciverImage source, Getty Images
  8. Captain's viewpublished at 17:41 British Summer Time 21 July 2015

    England captain Charlotte Edwards:  "We talked about starting the series well, we haven't always done that in the past but we started brilliantly with the ball and our fielding was outstanding at times. The partnership between Greenway and Sciver was brilliant and the chance for Georgia Elwiss to come in at the end was great. Hopefully everyone will come to Bristol and cheer us on again."

  9. Captain's viewpublished at 17:39 British Summer Time 21 July 2015

    Australia captain Meg Lanning:  "We would have loved to start off with a win, but England played well and hopefully we can bounce back in Bristol. The start probably cost us, Ellyse and Alex got us back into it but if we'd had 30 or 40 more runs it might have been our day. The people here really got behind England, it's great to play in front of big crowds and hopefully that will continue."

  10. Postpublished at 17:37

    Players gathered in front of the Andy Caddick Pavilion for the presentation...

  11. Postpublished at 17:37 British Summer Time 21 July 2015

    Ebony Rainford-Brent
    Ex-England batter on BBC Test Match Special

    Quote Message

    Kristen Beams came in new to this environment, and wasn't landing as many as she'd like, and there were times when they should have gone back to Perry. Holly Ferling bowled some brilliant bouncers but also a few wides - and I think the four run-outs killed Australia as another 20 runs might have meant a different match.

  12. Postpublished at 17:36 British Summer Time 21 July 2015

    Ebony Rainford-Brent
    Ex-England batter on BBC Test Match Special

    Quote Message

    Katherine Brunt and I have been friends for years when we've been injured and not able to work - but you could see today her bowling was back in the early 70 [mphs] where she wants to be, and you can see her pushing up towards 75.

  13. Postpublished at 17:34 British Summer Time 21 July 2015

    Ebony Rainford-Brent
    Ex-England batter on BBC Test Match Special

    Quote Message

    Players like Nat Sciver have broken onto the scene - she played a really intelligent innings with Lydia Greenway. People say 'what about the others if Charlotte Edwards and Sarah Taylor don't fire', but they did it today. Charlotte will be really pleased with the performance - Grundy bowled OK, Cross made early breakthroughs and there are some real positives.

  14. Postpublished at 17:32

    So, not entirely straightforward, but England draw first blood in an Ashes series. Their followers will hope they can build on this Taunton victory better than the men did after Cardiff...

  15. Postpublished at 17:30 British Summer Time 21 July 2015

  16. Postpublished at 17:30 British Summer Time 21 July 2015

    Alison Mitchell
    BBC Test Match Special

    Quote Message

    A brilliant partnership between Greenway and Sciver to get England back in the game.

  17. Postpublished at 17:29 British Summer Time 21 July 2015

  18. Postpublished at 17:29 British Summer Time 21 July 2015

    Ebony Rainford-Brent
    Ex-England batter on BBC Test Match Special

    Quote Message

    Well done England, a brilliant fightback. Katherine Brunt was back to her best, her bowling was right on the money.

  19. Postpublished at 17:28 British Summer Time 21 July 2015

    Dan Norcross
    BBC Test Match Special

    Quote Message

    England also move into fourth place in the ICC Women's Championship with these points. And it means they cannot lose the Ashes until at least the first T20!

  20. champagne moment

    Champagne momentpublished at 17:26

    ENGLAND BEAT AUSTRALIA BY FOUR WICKETS TO TAKE 2-0 LEAD IN WOMEN'S ASHES SERIES

    England celebrateImage source, Reuters