Twitter Reactions: Sophie Ecclestone leads England's fightback after Ellyse Perry's scintillating Ashes batting exhibition on Day 1

Courtesy of a magnificent knock by Ellyse Perry,  Australia concluded the Day 1 of the Women's Ashes Test with a score of 328 runs at Trent Bridge, in Nottingham. Notably, Alyssa Healy featured in her first match as the captain of the side in the absence of regular skipper Meg Lanning. 

As the solitary Test kickstarted, the Aussies won the toss and decided to put on a total in the first innings. The opening pair of Beth Mooney and Phoebe Litchfield failed to stay for too long in the middle, as they were sent packing for 33 and 23 runs, respectively.

Despite their dismissals, it was star batter Ellyse Perry, who asserted her dominance with the bat and carved out an invaluable knock. The batter combined to raise vital partnerships with Mooney of 48 runs followed by a 119-run partnership with Tahlia McGrath which kept Australia solid in the contest.

While Perry comfortably kept the scoreboard ticking, Tahlia headed back to the pavilion for a score of 61 off 83 balls, which featured eight fours at a strike rate of 73.49. Meanwhile, Sophie Ecclestone did wonders with the ball as she got the crucial wickets of Jess Jonassen and skipper Alyssa Healy in just one over to leave Australia reeling.

After scoring 15 boundaries, Lauren Filer drew curtains on Perry's majestic knock in her Test debut in the first red-ball clash. Short of just one run from scoring her century, Perry headed back to the dugout for 99 off 153 balls.

Soon after her dismissal, Ashleigh Gardner (40 runs) and Annabel Sutherland (39*) kept the innings steady with a partnership of 77 runs. Australia concluded with 328 runs at the close of Day 1 as Sophie Ecclestone got a three-wicket haul whereas Lauren Filer added two to her account, and Kate Cross and Lauren Bell picked a solitary wicket each.

Here is how Twitter buzzed on Day 1 of the Women's Ashes 2023:

Australia 328/7 at stumps! Whose day is it? Pretty even stevens. GOAT @EllysePerry the star for Australia with 99 and Sophie Ecclestone did incredibly well to trigger a middle order collapse. Good 8th wicket partnership from Annabel Sutherland and Ash Gardner! #WAshes

— PP (@PrashantSport) June 22, 2023

BELLYYYYYY GET INNN! The actual Lauren's wicket I've been waiting today. 😂😂😂 #WAshes #Ashes2023pic.twitter.com/lgq4z5SUOb

— Remi-Mae (@rgmxlls_) June 22, 2023

Sophie Ecclestone wickets celebration is top tier #WAshes

— Rajneesh Singh (@elirajneesh) June 22, 2023

Noooo way. Gutted for Ellyse Perry #WAshes pic.twitter.com/QIkSm0Tq9U

— Dipesh Pandit (@Thejuly23rdd) June 22, 2023

In a couple of years from now Filer, Wong & Gaur bowling together for England as their three frontliners will be a lot of fun. #WAshes

— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) June 22, 2023

Is it possible for England to get Lauren Filer and Issy Wong into the same XI? I would love to watch that, it’d be absolute box office.#ENGvAUS🏏🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇦🇺#WAshes

— Nakul Pande (@NakulMPande) June 22, 2023

Actually gutted for Ellyse Perry but Lauren Filer, she's quite alright isn't she, on her debut too. #WAshes #Ashes23 pic.twitter.com/I23boLv4Xn

— Remi-Mae (@rgmxlls_) June 22, 2023

The nimble nineties that hurt the most💔#WAshes #ellyseperry #ENGvsAUS pic.twitter.com/cD1cYp1RGF

— Sai Krishna K (@SaiKrishnaK21) June 22, 2023

Natalie Sciver-Brunt is omnipresent. Hoping for a special knock with the bat. #WAshes

— A (@Anirudh_1901) June 22, 2023

Gutted for Perry, that was a great innings. What a privilege to see her bat today, but it's game on now #WAshes

— Suzanne Martin (@Suzanne30571676) June 22, 2023

Even as an Englishman I’m gutted for Perry, what a player 🐐🐐🐐#WAshes

— Winapova 🇷🇺 (@Winapova) June 22, 2023