Australia bowled England out for 201 on the opening day of the women's Ashes Test at the WACA Ground, but a late collapse left the game in the balance.
Rene Farrell (4-43) and Ellyse Perry (3-41) spearheaded a potent Australian attack, but the hosts found batting just as difficult and were 2-9 at stumps after facing 5.5 overs on Friday.
England fast bowler Anya Shrubsole snared both of the late wickets.
Elyse Villani (four) was caught at first slip by Heather Knight, while fellow opener Meg Lanning (five) was caught behind on the last ball of the day.
Earlier Knight and captain Charlotte Edwards, who won the toss, put on a 28-run opening stand before Holly Ferling came on to bowl and triggered a dramatic collapse.
Ferling had Knight caught in the slips by Jess Cameron for 14, the first of three quick wickets as Australia claimed 3-4 in the space of 33 deliveries.
England also lost No.3 Sarah Taylor for one and then Edwards was unluckily given out leg before off Sarah Coyte for 17 despite getting an inside edge onto her back pad.
Arran Brindle led the tourists' recovery mission, top-scoring with 68 and taking her side from 3-32 early in the first session to 4-154 in the final over of the second session.
But Brindle's terrific knock came to an end on the last ball before tea when she was bowled by Farrell.
Natalie Sciver (49) and Danielle Hazell (15) provided more resistance in the third session, but the visitors lost their final four wickets for just 12 runs.
The Test opens the series between Australia and England that will include three one-day internationals and three Twenty20 clashes, with the team that accumulates the most points throughout being awarded the women's Ashes.
Australia are trying to win the Ashes in the format for the first time and started well on a hot Perth day.
Farrell was delighted not only with her own effort, but the performance of all the bowlers.
"It definitely was a nice start for myself but I think the girls put in a great performance today. We picked up the 10 wickets which was a fantastic team effort," Farrell said.
"Our target at the start of the day was to keep them under 200 and that was fantastic but unfortunately we lost a couple of wickets late in the session today.
"We believe we have the batting line-up to get past 200 though, and then some, so we are looking forward to a good batting session."
Share
