Dean’s late strike gives England hope after Mooney’s half-century

Mooney and Perry rode their luck in a 91-run stand to push Australia’s lead beyond 160

Australia 337 for 9 dec and 122 for 4 (Mooney 63) lead England 297 (Knight 168*) by 163 runs

England’s offspinner picked up Mooney with the final ball before lunch when she a full toss attempting an ill-advised sweep and was hit flush on the toe infront of middle and leg. Mooney reviewed but the DRS confirmed the umpire’s decision leaving Australia four down with a lead of 163 with 71.3 overs left in the Test match.

Mooney, who had played positively throughout the morning, edged Cross on 40 pushing at a good length delivery that nipped off the seam. It was a very simple catch to Jones’ left but the keeper closed her gloves too soon and it bounced off her gloves and run away for four.

Perry was on 30 four overs later when she attempted a booming drive on the up and got a thicker edge that flew towards first slip. Jones flung her right hand across infront of Heather Knight but the ball didn’t stick and was parried away for two runs leaving Cross to slump to her haunches in disbelief at her misfortune.

Mooney and Perry played positively despite the errors. Mooney picked off anything straight or wide while Perry continued to drive in spite of the sideways movement from the seamers and was rewarded with the two shots of the morning off Cross, one a sumptuous straight drive past the umpire and the other a glorious drive threaded between cover and mid off.

Ecclestone was finally rewarded for an excellent spell, trapping Perry lbw with one that slid straight after pitching in the perfect spot. Umpire Graham-Smith made another outstanding decision and Perry did not debate it.