Women’s Ashes Test match, day 3: Australia v England – live!

94th over: England 253-8 (Knight 139, Ecclestone 31) We’ve seen several well timed cut shots this morning, but they’ve all gone behind point and been nicely stopped in the cordon. Sutherland finishes the over by cutting the ball into Ecclestone, banged on the front pad and the Australians send it upstairs. Looks a chance for sliding down to me, and the review says umpire’s call on leg stump.

93rd over: England 253-8 (Knight 139, Ecclestone 31) Ellyse Perry taking it back to the traditions of Test cricket, bowling an eight-ball over. A wide and a no-ball in there, as well as Ecclestone dropping a ball into the big gap on the leg side to scamper through.

92nd over: England 250-8 (Knight 139, Ecclestone 30) Sutherland isnt finding the outside edge per se, but keeps finding the outside half of Knight’s bat. A couple of shots sliced ​​away behind point. Ecclestone spices things up by using the inside edge for a run.

91st over: England 246-8 (Knight 136, Ecclestone 29) Perry’s in, with that distinctive bound of hers. Three slips, gully, looking to force another mistake. Knight drives a single, Ecclestone survives the straighter ball.

90th over: England 244-8 (Knight 135, Ecclestone 28) Sutherland now, and Knight is beaten again twice on the trot. The second delivery prompts a bit of interest after a noise is heard. Lanning doesn’t review – good decision, there’s a gap between bat and pad. Knight then finds the boundary for the first time today with a wonderful cover drive and this partnership is now worth 75.

88th over: England 240-8 (Knight 131, Ecclestone 28) Here we go then. Lanning leads Australia onto the pitch under overcast skies at Manuka before Perry takes the ball and play resumes. Knight takes guard and there’s immediately two, nicely played off her legs into the gap on the on side. A single through the off side follows before Ecclestone is dropped in the slips by Lanning, who might be distracted by Mooney diving across her. A mistake from the Australians who have been very good to this point. Perry then delivers a beauty to beat Knight all ends up. An action-packed opening over.

And here is the daily podcast with me and Isabelle Westbury if you’d like some more detail for quarter of an hour about how the day panned out. Have to say, we’ve had two outstanding days of Test cricket. Really hope the rain has less influence than projected from here.

Lots of conjecture about day three, starting some days ago. Yes, there BoM forecast still says there is a high chance of thunderstormy rain today. It also says that it should be an afternoon thing. It rained a bit here in Canberra last night, but this morning is rain-free and humid and cloudy, just like yesterday morning when the swing bowlers went so well. There is rain on the radar but it’s in patchy bits here and there, so who knows what will or won’t find Manuka. For now it looks like the day should start on time.