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Australia has made an encouraging start to the Ashes Test with England in Taunton, justifying captain Meg Lanning's decision to bat first.

An Alyssa Healy half century has vindicated captain Meg Lanning's decision to bat first as Australia made a promising start to the Ashes Test with England in Taunton.

Australia were 2-106 at the end of an eventful first session of the one-off Test on Thursday, with a fortuitous Lanning unbeaten on 27 and allrounder Ellyse Perry alongside on six.

Healy's dismissal gave England some consolation though Lanning had a potentially significant reprieve on 26 when captain Heather Knight shelled a regulation catch at short cover.

Although the pitch is expected to favour spinners as the four-day match progresses, quick bowler Katherine Brunt secured the first breakthrough when Nicole Bolton (6) lost her off stump.

Healy played expansively from the outset and struck a dozen boundaries in an 81-ball 58 which ended when a straight delivery from spinner Ellie Gordon clipped her leg stump.