Southern Stars in strong Ashes position

Scorecard

She helped Australia cruise to three for 243 off 100 overs at stumps in good conditions at the most quintessentially English of cricket grounds in Buckinghamshire.

Elliott dominated the day, anchoring Australia's innings after the tourists won the toss and elected to bat on a fairly flat wicket.

"The bowlers, I thought, did a great job bowling really tight lines," Elliott said after a 320-minute stint at the crease.

"The pitch definitely had a bit in it early, which is really exciting for our bowlers, but then it's a really great pitch once you're in, I think it's a great opportunity to cash in."

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The 31-year-old, whose last match for Australia was the Women's Ashes Test in January 2011, will resume strike on Monday with Alex Blackwell, who's on 29.

Anya Shrubsole, impressive on debut in front of a crowd of more than 2000, was pick of the England bowlers with the early scalp of Rachael Haynes.

She went for 10 after starting to look comfortable at the crease.

Australian opener Meg Lanning notched up 48, including eight boundaries, before being run out shortly after lunch, when Katherine Brunt caught her out with an excellent throw from the deep.

Brunt also had solid performance with the ball, with the fast bowler allowing just 28 runs from her 18 overs.

Jess Cameron reached a half century in the afternoon session, but the Australian's celebration was short-lived after being trapped LBW the next ball to spinner Laura Marsh, who was the other solitary England wicket taker.

Cameron smashed 10 boundaries on her way to a scintillating 50.

But it was Elliott who stole the show with 13 boundaries and a display of great patience.

"I'm really really pleased to be back in the team," she told reporters after the game. "It's a great group to be around."

Despite Australia's dominance with the bat, medium pace bowler Shrubsole is optimistic England can come out on Monday and get early wickets.

"It's a good pitch to bat on, but I think we can be really pleased with the way we've bowled and kept them to less than two and a half an over on what is a fairly flat pitch," she said.

"We expect that the Australians might come out quite hard and try to up that run-rate, so the opportunity for wickets will increase."