At the end of the second day of play, England had reached 218-2, thanks to an unbroken hundred by Tammy Beaumont.
This put the one-off women’s Test that England is playing against Australia at Trent Bridge on Friday in a precarious position.
Earlier, Australia was bowled out for a total of 473, while Annabel Sutherland got 137 runs without being out.
However, the dreams of the visitors of gaining a big lead in the first innings were dashed by Beaumont, who became just the fourth England player in either the men’s or women’s game to achieve an international century in Test, one day, and Twenty20 cricket.
“I believe that it strikes a good balance. “If two people get in, it’s very hard to get them out,” said Beaumont, who was commenting on the batting pitch. “I think it’s a very good batting wicket.”
I don’t believe I batted as well as I might have; (captain) Heather Knight has dubbed me obstinate for years.
Sutherland, an Australian all-rounder, maintained her strong performance with the ball by claiming the wicket of Emma Lamb for the score of 10.
However, when Knight was out for 57, a partnership of 67 between Natalie Sciver-Brunt (41 not out) and Beaumont kept the hosts in the match. This combination kept the hosts in the competition.
Alana King (21) and Kim Garth (22) contributed to help Sutherland set the sixth-highest total in the annals of women’s test cricket by the time play began the next day with Australia on 328-7.
This was the first time that England spinner Sophie Ecclestone had taken five wickets in a Test, and she did it in 46.2 overs.
The match that will take place over the course of five days is a part of an Ashes series that also includes three Twenty20 matches and three one-day internationals.