The incredible catch that left Ellyse Perry in hysterics during the Women's Ashes Test.

Perry was in fits of laughter immediately after she held on to a sharp return catch from the bat of England danger player Sarah Taylor, a pivotal moment on a hard-fought opening day of the Women’s Ashes Test in Sydney.

Taylor’s mistimed shot bounced from Perry’s left arm, into her right shoulder and popped up to flukily present a straightforward grab that left her in stitches.

The 26-year-old completed the over but was basically useless in the field for the next 15 minutes as the raw memory of the catch kept drawing uncontrollable bursts of laughter.

Entering the post-day press conference, Perry broke down again before composing herself enough to explain the side-splitting dismissal.

“Essentially, I just slipped a little in some foot holes on that delivery and my head went down and I kinda lost all sight of it,” said Perry, tears in her eyes.

“I think it was a pretty hideous delivery, I didn’t even see it.

“I kinda looked up and the lights were a little bit in my eyes. I think the first time I spotted the ball was pretty much just before it hit my arm.

“Rather embarrassingly I managed to catch it.

“I think I provided a lot of entertainment for everyone and I lost all composure and I’m glad Rachael (Haynes, Australia’s captain) took me off after that.

“That’s all I’ve got for you.”

Asked just why the incident was so funny, Perry added: “I’m not sure. I don’t know.

“I think because it was just so embarrassing I’m just laughing instead.

“Look, I suppose in cricket everyone bowls some good balls and you don’t get wickets and every now and then you bowl some bad ones and you have a bit of luck and something obscure happens and that’s what makes the game so fun and entertaining.

“And it was nice being Sarah Taylor as well, to dismiss her. I think you’d happily get her out any way possible.

“I don’t think it had anything to with my skill or ability that wicket. It was pure luck.”

Maniacal laughter aside, Taylor’s wicket was Perry’s second dismissal in nine balls that helped to dig Australia out of some potentially serious trouble on the opening day of the pivotal clash.

Taylor and Georgie Elwiss were well set before Perry removed both and debutante Tahlia McGrath picked up Katherine Brunt late in the final session to give the hosts the ascendancy at stumps on day one at North Sydney Oval, with England 7-235.

“It was a really nice finish to the day, Perry said. “Those two wickets makes it a really good day for us. Before that it was an OK day.

“Just to finish strongly like that and be patient all day too. Because it’s quite nice conditions out there and I thought England batted pretty well for most parts of the day.

“It was a really good finish under lights there and nice to see Tahlia take a few wickets in her first Test match. I thought she bowled really well.”

However, what was no laughing matter was Perry’s waist-high full-toss that preceded the Taylor wicket.

Perry was banned from bowling for the remainder of the second one-day international against England last month for bowling consecutive full-tosses that were deemed dangerous by the on-field umpire.

Listen: Ellyse Perry shares exactly what it takes to become a world class sportsperson, and maintain some semblance of a normal life (post continues after audio…)

Perry says the Coffs incident came flooding back with her no-ball tonight, but the memory actually helped her reset and focus on the job at hand.

Before the giggles hit.

“It wasn’t a great over,” said Perry, again giggling before getting a grip.

“I had more composure after that because of what happened in Coffs Harbour. I bowled the next ball cross seam. There was a bit of dew around and for whatever reason I have quite sweaty palms. It popped out, it’s fine, it happens.

“(I’m) glad I didn’t bowl a second one.”

Commonwealth Bank Women’s Ashes

Australia lead England 4-2

Australia squad (ODI and Test): Rachael Haynes (C), Alex Blackwell (VC), Kristen Beams, Nicole Bolton, Lauren Cheatle, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Belinda Vakarewa (Test only), Elyse Villani, Amanda-Jade Wellington.

England squad: Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, Georgia Elwiss, Jenny Gunn, Alex Hartley, Danielle Hazell, Laura Marsh, Anya Shrubsole, Sarah Taylor, Nat Sciver, Fran Wilson, Lauren Winfield, Danielle Wyatt.

Schedule

First ODI Australia won by two wickets

Second ODI Australia won by 75 runs (DLS method)

Third ODI England won by 20 runs (DLS method)

Day-Night Test North Sydney Oval, November 9-12

First T20 North Sydney Oval, November 17

North Sydney Charity Partner: McGrath Foundation

Second T20 Manuka Oval, November 19

Third T20 Manuka Oval, November 21

Canberra Charity Partner: Lord’s Taverners ACT

This article originally appeared on the Cricket Australia website and was republished here with pull permission.