Australia moved into a commanding position on Day 2 of the one-off pink-ball Test against India at the WACA in Perth, with Annabel Sutherland’s century and a relentless pace attack putting the hosts firmly in control after two days of play.
The morning began with Australia resuming on 96 for 3, still trailing India’s first-innings total of 198, with Ellyse Perry (43*) and Annabel Sutherland (20*) continuing their overnight partnership. The pair started cautiously against India’s disciplined bowling before gradually shifting momentum in Australia’s favour.
Perry quickly settled into rhythm, bringing up her half-century from 70 balls, striking fluent boundaries through the off-side. At the other end, Sutherland rotated strike efficiently and punished anything short, steadily building her innings. Together they added a 100-run partnership for the fourth wicket, pushing Australia past the 150-run mark and erasing India’s early advantage.
India eventually broke the stand in the 47th over when Deepti Sharma dismissed Perry for 76, her innings included ten fours and a six. Perry’s dismissal left Australia at 186 for 4, but Sutherland remained firmly in control of the innings. Sutherland soon reached her half-century, and continued to build the innings with Beth Mooney, who settled in well at No.6.
The pair added another steady stand, taking Australia past 217 for 4 by lunch, with Sutherland approaching three figures. Soon after the break, she brought up a superb century, raising her fourth Test hundred and continuing her remarkable run in the format.
Mooney contributed 19(53) before she was caught off by Sneh Rana, ending a valuable middle-order partnership. Australia continued to add useful runs through the middle order, though India chipped away with wickets at regular intervals. Tahlia McGrath made 13(32) before falling to Shafali Verma, while Ashleigh Gardner scored 1(7) before being dismissed by debutante Kranti Gaud.
Sutherland eventually fell for a magnificent 129, again to Deepti Sharma, after anchoring the Australian innings through the middle sessions. Her departure ended the hosts’ most influential knock of the match. The Australian tail, however, ensured the hosts crossed the 300-run mark. Alana King added a useful 21, while Lucy Hamilton contributed 23, before they were bowled out by Satghare as she finished with the figures of 4 for 50 in 18 overs. Australia were eventually dismissed for 323 in 90.4 overs, securing a 125-run first-innings lead.
India’s second innings began late in the day under testing pink-ball conditions and immediately ran into trouble. Darcie Brown struck early, removing Smriti Mandhana for 2 with the new ball to give Australia the perfect start. Soon after, Lucy Hamilton dismissed Shafali Verma, continuing her impressive debut performance.
Australia kept the pressure on as the wickets continued to fall. Annabel Sutherland then removed Jemimah Rodrigues who contributed 14 of 15, further denting India’s hopes of a strong reply. Hamilton returned to dismiss Harmanpreet Kaur (11) and Richa Ghosh for a duck and finished the day with 3 wickets to her name. Amid the collapse, Pratika Rawal produced a determined innings, showing composure against Australia’s pace attack. She remained unbeaten on 43 at stumps, anchoring India’s fightback while wickets fell around her. Sneh Rana provided some support late in the day, remaining not out on 14.
By the close of play on Day 2, India were 105 for 6, still 20 runs behind Australia’s first-innings total, with only the lower order left to bat. Australia, with a strong lead already secured and their bowlers in rhythm, will head into Day 3 firmly in control of the Test match at the WACA.
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