Arran Brindle is confident England Women's bowlers can grab the initiative in the Ashes Test against Australia tomorrow morning.

The Sussex all-rounder top scored with 68 to help rescue England from a sticky situation on the opening day at the WACA in Perth today.

Brindle came in with the tourists on 32-3 - Sussex team-mate Sarah Taylor making just one - but proceeded to share in stands of 64 with Lydia Greenway and 58 with Natalie Scriver before being bowled by Rene Farrell.

England lost their last five wickets for just 47 after Brindle's departure as they were dismissed for 201 but fought back in the field by reducing Australia to 9-2.

Brindle said: "We want to go out there in the morning and hit our straps and bowl in the areas we have talked about to create chances.

"You are always wary there is a ball with your name on it as there is a little bit of extra bounce in the pitch so if we do what we did this evening tomorrow then we can have a really productive morning session."

Brindle was pleased with her start to the Ashes series as she steadied the ship by facing 126 balls during her innings.

She added: "You want to start a series with a bit of time at the crease and to get a few runs is great. It was a bad time to get out just before tea as I felt we could have pushed on in the evening session but to take those two wickets at the end was a real bonus."