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Australia on top in women's Ashes Test

Scott BaileyAAP
Australia celebrate Darcie Brown's maiden Test wicket on day two of the Ashes match against England.
Camera IconAustralia celebrate Darcie Brown's maiden Test wicket on day two of the Ashes match against England. Credit: AAP

Australia's two generations of women's stars have combined to put them on top of the Ashes Test, leaving England fighting at 8-235 after stumps on day two.

On the same day Darcie Brown became Australia's youngest Test wicket-taker in eight years, star allrounder Ellyse Perry broke through England's top-order.

England trail by 102, in a situation that could have been far worse if not for a 66-run unbeaten partnership for the eighth wicket that allowed them to avoid the follow-on.

A win in Canberra will see Australia retain the Ashes and even a draw would be enough to put them on the brink of keeping the trophy - a single victory in the ensuing three ODIs then enough to get the job done.

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England have captain Heather Knight and her lone hand of 127no to thank for still being in the contest.

Her score is the equal-highest by a visiting batter in Australia, while Sophie Ecclestone (27no) offered the only other resistance after they were joined at 8-169.

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Still, the first two days have been a story of both Australia's new and old guard: the group that drove the women's game forward and the younger class that have benefited from their success with an elite pathways system.

It was the old guard who gave Australia the advantage with Meg Lanning and Rachael Haynes' 169-run stand on day one to help them to 9(dec)-337.

Fellow-veteran Ellyse Perry was then back to her best on Friday with 2-35, trapping Tammy Beaumont lbw before Sophia Dunkley chopped on to her from a limp shot.

It came after Perry was dropped for the Twenty20 component of the multi-format Ashes series, but she was always a certainty for the Tests.

"There was no point to prove," Perry said.

"If there is an opportunity and I'm in the side I really want to play a role for the team.

"We're in a really great position with Australian cricket with the depth and talent that we have.

"It puts everyone on their toes in terms of form and performances and pushing the game forward.

"So I'm certainly no different."

Meanwhile, Brown's first Test scalp came from a ball that swung away from Lauren Winfield-Hill's edge, with the opener playing away from her body as she fell in the slips.

Aged 18, Brown is the youngest male or female player to take a Test wicket for Australia since 17-year-old Holly Ferling struck in 2013.

Young allrounder Annabel Sutherland (2-52) also bagged two wickets, including one from a ball that jagged back and took Nat Sciver's inside edge.

Legspinner King is one caught between the two generations, making her Test debut at age 26 after moving across the country for her chance.

She bowled with great control, claiming her maiden wicket in the form of Katherine Brunt, skidding one on to the England allrounder and trapping her lbw for one just before tea.

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