England shine in the gloom

Australia 126 for 7 v England
Scorecard

Lisa Sthalekar: led Australia's mini recovery © Getty Images

England ripped through Australia after a delayed start to the second Test at Worcester, reducing the visitors to 126 for 7 by the close.

Heavy rain prevented any play until 3pm, and with moisture in the pitch and low clouds, England gambled by putting Australia in. The decision soon paid dividends. Belinda Clark looked fairly comfortable, but Lisa Keightley's run out triggered a collapse which saw them slip from 27 for 0 to 49 for 4.

Lisa Sthalekar led a mini recovery with a spirited 34, but her dismissal brought more wickets and England ended in a good position - although they will not be too complacent. In the first Test at Hove, they had Australia 115 for 7 only for the last three wickets to add 230 runs. Julie Hayes and Shelley Nitschke, who did much of the damage them, are still at the crease .