Paradoxically, England’s spirited showing with the ball has increased the likelihood of this game finishing in three days.

They claimed the final five wickets in 10.3 overs but have not made a good start in their second innings.

Australia have struck an early blow with the ball, removing Maia Bouchier for one.

The opener had her middle stump uprooted by Darcie Brown for one. Her feet did not move, and there was a massive gap between her pad and bat for Brown to slide through.

With a Test century on debut next to her name, Bouchier is a much better player than she has shown this tour, but it has been a torrid few weeks for the 26-year-old. She’s made 9, 17, 0, 0, 13, 2 and 1, the latter two coming in this game. Bouchier also dropped a dolly at gully yesterday.

England are 1-22 after nine overs, still trailing by 248. With 78 overs remaining today, they face an uphill task to send this game into a fourth day.