Australia are in a solid position after the first day of the Ashes Test against England, finishing up 7/327 on the back of a brilliant partnership between Rachael Haynes and Meg Lanning.
After Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney were both dismissed in the first three overs and Ellyse Perry not too long after, the hosts were looking precarious at 3-43.
“I wasn’t too stressed,” Haynes said of the early wickets.
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“I just felt like we probably played at a couple of deliveries we didn’t need to early.”
The opener and vice-captain was joined by her captain Meg Lanning and they batted for more than 50 overs together, taking the score to 212 before Lanning was dismissed for 93.
Haynes was gone three balls later for 86.
“Meg and I just spoke about leaving with good intent … it wasn’t the ideal start but I think we rallied really well.
“To not lose a wicket in that middle session and have a really strong partnership helped set up the end of the day, albeit it was disappointing that we both sort of got dismissed at the same time because it just opened the door a little bit.”
Tahlia McGrath (52) and Ashleigh Gardner (56) then took over and steered Australia to a strong first innings total before both were dismissed late in the day.
“It was a really positive way to finish the day,” Haynes said of those two innings.
With rain forecast for the next couple of days, Haynes said she couldn’t rule out the possibility of her skipper opting for an overnight declaration.
“I’m not too sure – we haven’t spoken about it yet but I’m sure there will be conversations that happen once we all get back into the change rooms and work out the best plan forward,” Haynes said.
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The 35-year-old acknowledged that this would “probably” be her last Ashes Test.
“I just want to enjoy it for what it is, it’s a really special occaision – not just for me as a player, but for the whole team,” she said.
“This series is one that’s held in really high regard amongst our playing group.”
While Haynes acknowledged the multi-format series of the Ashes had it’s appeal, the playing group was desperate for more Test matches.
“I think the players have been pretty vocal in wanting more Test cricket – it’s a hard one, at the moment not all international teams do play Test cricket, but certainly, I think, the playing group has really championed that.”
Australia won the first of three scheduled T20 internationals, while the other two were washed out.
The 50 over matches will follow the Test, beginning on February 3.
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