Lauren Filer was extremely impressive today on debut and brought the game alive at different points: Ellyse Perry

The Women’s Ashes 2023 kicked off in magnificent fashion with a one-off Test match. As both England and Australia looked to get off to a good start, the Aussies did just that as they won the toss and came out to bat first.

Undoubtedly, 32-year-old Ellyse Perry was the star of Day 1, as coming in to bat after the fall of the first wicket, the sensational batter showed why she is revered as one of the greatest female cricketers in the world. Barely missing out on a fifth international century, Perry was sent packing by debutant Lauren Filer for 99 runs in 153 deliveries. 

Making her debut for England, Filer took two wickets on Day 1 of the only Test. One of them being the big fish, Ellyse Perry. Throughout the spell, Filer kept Perry on her toes, and both players had a good battle on the pitch and Perry was of a similar opinion. The 32-year-old opined that she had a great tussle with Filer and heaped massive praise on the debutant.

"Like every other ball, it's just an opportunity at a particular moment in time, and I'd had a really great tussle with Filer the whole time. I thought she was extremely impressive today on debut and brought the game alive at different points," Perry was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. 

"So that ball just had my measure, which is totally fine. It's a number, and one that we talk about a lot in cricket, but the whole experience out there today was so much fun. I've loved every opportunity. Sometimes things just go that way. It's hard to be disappointed," she added.

It was nice to be a part of a few really good partnerships: Perry

Ellyse Perry also reflected on the numerous partnerships she made on Day 1 of the Test match, especially the 119-run stand with Tahlia McGrath. She also opined that she was not thinking about the century and was not bothered much after being dismissed on 99, as life goes on. 

"It was nice to contribute, it was nice to be a part of a few really good partnerships, particularly that one with TMac [McGrath]. It's just like any other time to get out. It's a bit of a bummer, but gosh, the game definitely goes on, and life goes on for sure," Perry said.