Darcie Brown and Annabel Sutherland blow away the Proteas for their lowest total followed by Alyssa-Beth’s show with the bat highlights Australia Women’s Day of dominance over South Africa.
The home side Australia clinched the ODI and the T20I series and is leading the multi-format series by an 8-4 margin.
The caravan now moves onto the one-off Test match at the W.A.C.A, Perth which will commence on 15th February 2024. It will be a historic encounter for both sides Australia and South Africa as it will be their first-ever face-off in the red-ball format.
The Australian skipper Alyssa Healy won the toss and opted to field first against South Africa. Left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux made her way back into the Australian side after a long injury layoff. She last played for her country three years ago in a T20I against India on 10th October 2021. On the other hand, the visitors suffered a huge blow as the veteran all-rounder Marizanne Kapp was ruled out of the one-off Test match due to illness. However, there were four debutants Tazmin Brits, Delmi Tucker, Masabata Klaas, and Ayanda Hlubi for South Africa.
The visitors, South Africa got off to a poor start, losing both their openers including the wicket of their skipper Laura Wolvaardt in the 4th over of the innings. Darcie Brown provided both the breakthroughs for Australia against South Africa. Tazmin Brits joined Sune Luus at the crease and the duo stitched a 28-run partnership for the third wicket before Annabel Sutherland struck twice in two balls to push the South Africans further on the back foot. The visitors failed to recover and they kept losing wickets at regular intervals and they were eventually bundled out for 76 in the 32nd over of the innings. It is South Africa’s lowest total in the red-ball format.
Sune Luus (26 off 45 balls) was the top performer with the bat for South Africa. Darcie Brown (9.2-1-21-5), Annabel Sutherland (9-2-19-3), and Tahlia McGrath (3-2-4-2) were the top performers with the ball for Australia. After being bundled out for their lowest score in the red-ball format, the Proteas bowlers came back roaring by sending the Australian top order back into the pavilion in the 5th over of the innings. Masabata Klaas picked up the first three wickets to send the Australian camp to the edge of their seats. Skipper Alyssa Healy joined Beth Mooney at the crease and the duo bailed the home side out of trouble with a massive 155-run partnership for the 4th wicket to take their first innings lead close to a 100-run mark before Nadine de Klerk picked up the wicket of an in-form Beth Mooney to provide the much-needed 4th breakthrough for South Africa.
Annabel Sutherland joined skipper Alyssa Healy at the crease and the duo stitched another crucial 82-run partnership for the 5th wicket before Delmi Tucker picked up the massive wicket of the opposition skipper Alyssa Healy to provide the much-needed breakthrough towards the end of the day’s play. Skipper Alyssa Healy fell just one run short of her maiden century (99 off 124 balls) in the red-ball format. Ashleigh Gardner joined Annabel Sutherland at the crease and the home side ended the day at 251/5 with a 1st innings lead of 175. Annabel Sutherland completed her well-deserved half-century (54* off 87 balls) to go with her brilliant spell (9-2-19-3) with the ball in the first innings.
After South Africa were bowled out for 76,
Australia has picked a lead of 175 Runs on Day 1, thanks to the partnership between Mooney and Healy. #CricketTwitter #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/PMHoG68FFM
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) February 15, 2024
Australia will be looking to bat South Africa out of the game by stretching the lead as much as they potentially can. South Africa, on the other hand, will be looking to pounce on the momentum to minimize the damage and wrap up the Australian innings in the morning session.