Tammy Beaumont hit a maiden half-century and Heather Knight contributed 62 as England reached 235 for seven on the first day of the women’s Ashes Test at the North Sydney Oval. This is the first Test match for both countries since their 2015 encounter at Canterbury, where England received criticism for their defensive batting in the 161-run defeat. Beaumont, however, feels England are improving in the Test format, having earlier this year won the World Cup on home soil. “I really had to learn a lot from the practice match we had this week,” Beaumont said after her 70 helped produce a recovery alongside Knight in a second-wicket partnership of 104. Perry had Taylor caught and bowled for 29 Jason McCawley/Getty Images“I found myself almost wanting to get on with it and almost thinking I…

Source: The Times November 09, 2017 17:48 UTC