Australian all-rounder Annabel Sutherland created history on Day 2 of the one-off Test against India, becoming the first woman in the history of Test cricket to score centuries in three consecutive innings.
Sutherland reached the landmark with a composed innings of 129 off 171 balls after walking in with Australia in early trouble at 58 for 3. Displaying patience and authority, the 24-year-old rebuilt the innings alongside Ellyse Perry. Her knock, laced with confident drives and controlled strokeplay, anchored Australia’s first innings and shifted the momentum decisively in their favour. The century also marked her fourth Test hundred in just seven matches, further underlining her extraordinary start in the longest format.
The innings was significant not only for its match impact but also for the record it established. With the knock, Sutherland became the first player in women’s Test history to score centuries in three consecutive innings — a remarkable feat in a format where matches are few and opportunities are limited. The achievement highlights the consistency she has shown over the past two years whenever Australia has played red-ball cricket.
Sutherland’s historic streak began against the South Africa women’s national cricket team in Perth in 2024, when she produced one of the most dominant innings in women’s Test cricket. Batting at no. 6, she hammered a breathtaking 210, the fastest double century in women’s Tests, powering Australia to a commanding position and rewriting several records along the way.
She followed that performance with another monumental innings in the Women’s Ashes Test against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 2025. On that occasion, Sutherland struck 163, becoming the first woman to score a Test century at the iconic venue and further cementing her reputation as one of Australia’s most reliable red-ball batters.
Her latest century against India, 129 from 171 balls now completes an unprecedented run of three successive Test hundreds: 210, 163 and 129. The sequence has propelled Sutherland into elite territory in women’s Test cricket despite her relatively short career in the format.
The innings also continued her impressive statistical record. In just seven Test matches, Sutherland has already scored four centuries and amassed more than 700 runs at an average of 89, numbers that place her among the most prolific batters in the modern era of women’s Tests.
Although her batting grabbed the headlines, Sutherland also made a significant contribution with the ball earlier in the match. The seam-bowling all-rounder returned figures of 4 for 46 in 17 overs in India’s first innings, breaking key partnerships and helping Australia gain early control of the contest. Originally regarded primarily as a bowler, Sutherland has rapidly developed into one of Australia’s most dependable middle-order batters as well.
At just 24, Sutherland’s achievements already place her among the most impactful performers in women’s Test cricket. With four centuries in seven matches and a historic streak of three consecutive Test hundreds, she has set a new benchmark for consistency in the format.
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