Ecclestone bowled 31 overs on Thursday at Trent Bridge, 28 of those in a spell that was only interrupted by a rain delay.
In a week in which England's men are struggling to find a spinner to hold up an end in their Ashes series, Ecclestone proved the women's team have no such issue despite playing so few Tests.
The left-arm orthodox spinner went to stumps with figures of 3-71, going at just 2.29 an over on a day in which Australia raced to 7-328 while taking most other bowlers for four runs an over.
Included in her work was the key wicket of Tahlia McGrath for 61 with a ball that drifted towards leg stump and spun back to take the top of middle, when England desperately needed a breakthrough.
She took two wickets in one over later in the day, getting a sweeping Jess Jonassen in close before bowling Alyssa Healy for a duck.
Perry and Eccelstone have played together in Twenty20 cricket at the Sydney Sixers, with the Australian allrounder professing no doubt about the 24-year-old's standing in the game.
"It's quite unique, if I think about the Tests I have played in over the years, to just have one front-line spinner in the bowling attack," Perry, who scored 99 on Thursday, said.
"That speaks volumes of how incredibly good Sophie Ecclestone is.
"She is the pre-eminent spinner in the world, and to be trusted with that job in the England team, she showed her quality today.
"It's a big shift. In a lot of respects, it's probably even-stevens in the end. She is quality and is a big challenge for all of us."
England debutante Lauren Filer, who ended day one with figures of 2-65 and got the key wicket of Perry, said Ecclestone had allowed her and the other quicks to operate as they did.
"I've never seen anyone do that before ... She is a bit of a bowling machine," Filer said.
"It's great she can tie up an end. She is consistent and we can rely on her. It's a big role to fill and she can do it so well.
"It makes the bowlers at the other end comfortable doing what they do, because I know she will go for nothing."
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