England see bright side amid Ashes gloom

Dark clouds hover over England’s hopes of keeping the women’s Ashes alive, but the hosts are refusing to be distracted by the weathermen as they focus on fighting their way back into the series on day two of the Taunton Test.

And despite an attritional end to the first day of play, which saw Australian pair Ellyse Perry and Rachael Haynes score 62 runs in a wicketless final session to see their team to 3-265 at stumps, the tourists remain adamant they’ll stay true to their promise to play attacking cricket and chase a result.

A draw in the Test will be enough to see Australia retain the multi-format, points-based Ashes – comprised of three ODIs, one Test and three T20Is – given they’ve already collected all six points on offer to date after sweeping the one-day leg of the tour.

Further frustration could await England if the wet weather forecast for Friday and Saturday eventuates, but quick Anya Shrubsole remained optimistic that a few early wickets on day two will break the game wide open.

"It’s probably a relatively evenly-poised Test match," Shrubsole said after play on the opening day.

"It was attritional Test cricket to be sure. Credit to the way we went about it, we hung in there and never let the run rate get away from us. (But) credit to the way they batted, especially in the evening session they were disciplined and made it hard work for us."

Rain could potentially cause major interruptions to days two and three of the four-day game, a major blow for England given their need to take 20 Australian wickets and the slow-ish nature of play on the opening day, which saw runs come at a rate of 2.65 an over.

"It’s something we really can’t control,” Shrubsole said.

“From what I know of the forecast in England, it can say it’s going to do one thing one hour and the next something completely different arrives.

"By all accounts doesn’t look great for tomorrow but that’s something that’s completely out of our control. What we can do, if and when we get out there, is bowl well."

Another cloud hanging over England comes in the form of injuries to two key players on day one.

Sophie Ecclestone sent shivers through the England camp when she was forced from the field clutching her right shoulder, having jarred the joint while diving, but returned later to bowl a total of 25.2 overs for the day.

Then, opening bat Tammy Beaumont was sent for x-rays after being struck on the thumb fielding at bat-pad.

"I think she’ll be fine, we’re just awaiting news," Shrubsole said of Beaumont.

"She copped a nasty one on the thumb there but I’m sure she’ll be fine. She’s a tough girl and I’m sure there won’t be too much stopping her getting out there with bat in hand."

Asked whether Australia considered declaring before the end of day one to have a crack at England before stumps, given the state of the game and the looming forecast. Haynes was blunt: "I’m not the captain, but I wouldn’t have thought so."

"We’re happy with the position we’re in and we’ll reassess tomorrow when the game starts."

Haynes, however, does expect Australia to up the ante with wickets in hand when they do get an opportunity to bat on day two.

"We said from the start we do actually want to get a result out of the game, it’s not in the Australian way to play for a draw or anything like that," she said.

"So I’m sure at some stage you’ll see us put the foot down."

Day two of the Taunton Test will begin at 8pm AEST on Friday (11am local time) and will be broadcast live and free on the Nine Network and ABC Radio.

CommBank Ashes Tour of England

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Nicole Bolton, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Elyse Villani, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham

England Test squad: Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone, Georgia Elwiss, Kirstie Gordon, Amy Jones, Laura Marsh, Nat Sciver, Anya Shrubsole (vc), Lauren Winfield, Sarah Taylor

Australia lead England 6-0

First ODI: Australia won by two wickets

Second ODI: Australia won by four wickets

Third ODI:  Australia won by 194 runs

July 18-21: Only Test, The County Ground, Taunton

July 26: First T20, County Ground, Chelmsford

July 28: Second T20, The County Ground, Hove

July 31: Third T20, Bristol County Ground, Bristol