Rain won't stop Aussies chasing Test triumph

Australia remain confident they’ve got the bowling attack to force a result in the sole women’s Ashes Test, despite losing two sessions to wet weather on the second day of play in Taunton.

Just 32 overs were bowled on Friday, during which Australia added 66 runs to their overnight score to reach 5-341 at the lunch break before the threatening clouds that had gathered over the County Ground broke.

The light drizzle cleared at times throughout the afternoon but never long enough for play to resume, before a heavy persistent downpour saw play called off for the day at 5.15pm local time.

Given women’s Test matches are held over just four days, and rain could potentially also cause delays on Saturday, both Australia and England face an uphill battle to force a result.

Australia only need a draw to officially retain the multi-format, points-based Ashes, but given their insistence that a result is what they’re after regardless, a declaration could come early on day three. 

"We’ll look to try and win the Test match, whatever that means, losing a fair bit of time will make the decisions tomorrow morning interesting," Australia allrounder Ellyse Perry said at stumps, having brought up her second Test century in the first hour of play.

"I think we’re in a strong position, we’ve still got a good opportunity and enough time to win if we bowl really well and that poses a really great challenge to our bowling unit. 

"There’s a bit of turn out there and I think there’s a place for seam there, too, if you can get the ball swinging, which at times I thought England did."

Recent history shows it can be done: in 2015, Australia were able to pull off a series-defining Test win in Canterbury in just three days. Batting first, they scored 9-274 declared before bowling England out for 168. They then put on 6-156 in their second innings before declaring shortly before lunch on the final day, setting England 263 to win – a target achievement enough to tempt the hosts, but one they were confident of defending.

Early wickets had England in all sorts at 5-29 before Lydia Greenway and Georgia Elwiss attempted to stonewall the Australians, holding them at bay for 32.3 overs before Ellyse Perry worked her magic – as she does so frequently – taking 6-29 as the tourists claimed a 161-run win during the final session.

Australia’s strong batting performance after winning the toss here in Taunton means the task of taking the 20 wickets they require to keep the series alive is a much sterner one for England, but off-spinner Laura Marsh was nonetheless optimistic at the end of day two.

"We’ve still got a long time left in the game and the game can change quickly so we’re keeping positive," Marsh said. 

"From our point of view we’ve done what we can, we’ve bowled in good areas and we’ve put them under pressure and we’d have liked a few more wickets but we’re still positive we can get a result."

Day three of the Taunton Test will begin at 11am on Saturday local time (8pm AEST) and will be broadcast live and free on the Nine Network and ABC Radio.

CommBank Ashes Tour of England

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Nicole Bolton, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Elyse Villani, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham

England Test squad: Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone, Georgia Elwiss, Kirstie Gordon, Amy Jones, Laura Marsh, Nat Sciver, Anya Shrubsole (vc), Lauren Winfield, Sarah Taylor

Australia lead England 6-0

First ODI: Australia won by two wickets

Second ODI: Australia won by four wickets

Third ODI:  Australia won by 194 runs

July 18-21: Only Test, The County Ground, Taunton

July 26: First T20, County Ground, Chelmsford

July 28: Second T20, The County Ground, Hove

July 31: Third T20, Bristol County Ground, Bristol