Women's Test Match, Worcester (day one, stumps):
England v Australia 185-5
Match scorecard
A record sixth-wicket stand from captain Jodie Fields and Rachel Haynes helped spare Australia's blushes on day one of the women's Ashes at New Road.
Fields (139) and Haynes (98) put on 229 - the fifth-highest women's Test match partnership of all time - as the tourists ended the day on 271-7.
But wicketkeeper Fields was dropped on three occasions, the first time on 21, as the Aussies recovered from 28-5.
Fast bowler Katherine Brunt was superb, taking 5-55 in 22 overs.
She delivered a devastating opening spell, breaking through at the end of the first over as Alex Blackwell was caught behind for a duck.
Karen Rolton went lbw without troubling the scorers, Lisa Sthalekar padded up to one that nipped back, Shelley Nitschke fell to Nicky Shaw and when Leah Poulton was bowled for one, England were in a brilliant position.
However, Fields and Haynes steadied the ship and helped the tourists into a favourable position by the close.
Fields was given her first life in the 23rd over, wafting at Jenny Gunn and edging the ball - with Claire Taylor failing to grasp a difficult chance at first slip.
The skipper received another reprieve as she entered the 90s, dropped by Caroline Atkins at mid-off as she tried to loft Laura Marsh over the top. But she would not have to wait long for her hundred, smashing a Marsh a full-toss for four to spark joyous celebrations.
Fields added five more boundaries before Brunt finally brought her 254-ball vigil to an end, winning her third lbw verdict.
Haynes also looked set to make a three-figure score, but nerves got the better of her and she lost her head attempting to heave Marsh towards the new Graeme Hick Pavilion and was bowled just before the finish.
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