Cross shines on debut to give England chance

Three quick wickets from Kate Cross helped put England back on track in the only Test match of their Ashes tour of Australia – who had looked well on top at the start of day three.

With the multi-format system, there are six points on offer for the winners of the only Test in the series, but the result of the match at the WACA remained in the air following Cross’s evening cameo on her Test debut, with Australia on 57-5 and chasing 195 with one day to go.

The hosts had looked to score their runs quickly as opener Elyse Villani set about starting her Test career in style.

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She made a run-a-ball 21 before holing out to Natalie Sciver from Katherine Brunt’s bowling, although Australia still looked in a strong position until Cross’s spell of domination.

Villani’s fellow opener Meg Lanning ambled her way to 15 before she was caught behind off the 22-year-old, with Jess Cameron following her team-mate back to the pavilion having been caught from the next ball.

Although she did not manage to seal a memorable hat-trick with the following delivery, Cross did not have to wait too long to take her third victim.

Alex Blackwell went the same way as Lanning to pick up a pair and leave Australia struggling on 40-4.

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Captain Jodie Fields looked as though she would offer resistance but she could not see out the remaining overs.

Jenny Gunn got in on the act as Fields was stumped by Sarah Taylor for 13, with Ellyse Perry closing the day alongside Sarah Elliott.

Resuming on 18-3, England captain Charlotte Edwards had earlier led from the front with a top score of 56 before being trapped lbw by Australia’s best bowler, Perry.

Sri Lanka wrapped up a nine-wicket victory in the second Test against Pakistan in Dubai.

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Dimuth Karunaratne made an unbeaten 62 and fellow opener Kaushal Silva 58 as they chased down their target of 137 for the loss of just one wicket on day five.

Suranga Lakmal had earlier taken three wickets in the morning session to end Pakistan’s hopes of salvaging a draw, mopping up the tail for the addition of just 29 runs as the home side were finally dismissed for 359.

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