Michelle Goszko equalled the world batting record in women's cricket today when she made 204 for Australia in the first Ashes match at Shenley Park.

But before she could go on to take Kirsty Flavell's record (set in 1996 for New Zealand at Scarborough), Goszko, who remarkably was making her Test debut, was adjudged leg before by umpire Neil Mallender as she tried to work the ball down the leg side.

Australian batsman Michelle Goszko says equalling the world record in women's batting, on her debut, has not yet sunk in 28k England captain Clare Connor took 5-65 but spells out England's chances of saving the first Ashes Test 28k

After a stay at the crease that lasted a marathon six hours and 35 minutes, the skilled right-hander, who has played 10 One-Day Internationals for her country, received a standing ovation from her colleagues and the small Shenley crowd who had sat all day under blue skies and a searing hot sun watching her stroke ball after ball to the boundary.

She arrived at the crease yesterday, with the score on 21 for two in the fifth over of the innings and departed on the first ball of the 116th over, when Australia had reached 344.

"I was pretty happy with it though what I have done has not really sunk in yet," said the 23-year-old, who plays her cricket at the Bankstown club in Sydney.

"I didn't actually know what the record was but Charmaine Mason was out there batting with me and she told me so I was pretty ecstatic. I equalled it so that's fine with me.

"It would have been nice to beat it and it would have been nice to get 350 but it sets up a nice stepping stone for the rest of the series.

"I did not even know I would be playing in this Test so I am pleased I made it to 200. I was in control of what I was trying to do from the start though there were a few lapses in concentrations and England bowled pretty well.

"I got a bit tired running between the wickets towards the end but the other girls kept me going and I was just keen to get the total to around 350 and was concentrating on that. It was a dream for me to be batting out there."

Goszko, who was selected for the 1998 tour to England but didn't play a Test, was reluctant to leave the crease when she was finally given out.

"Batsmen never agree with umpires decisions when they are lbw but you just accept that decision and leave," she said.

Australia lost their last four wickets for 62 runs with England skipper Clare Connor accounting for two to finish with figures of 5-65 from 28 overs, having earlier taken two wickets in two balls.

By the end of Australia's innings, their lead over England was 241 and that was reduced by eight runs at stumps though opener Caroline Atkins perished on the last ball of the first over of the innings when she was leg before to Olivia Magno for a duck.

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