Annabel Sutherland’s maiden double ton highlights a record-breaking day at the W.A.C.A. as Australia strengthens its grip on the historic Test against the Proteas.
The home side was in deep trouble after wrapping the visitors South Africa to their lowest total (76) in the red-ball format, justifying skipper Alyssa Healy’s decision to bowl first at the W.A.C.A. in Perth.
Skipper Alyssa Healy joined hands with Beth Mooney to take Australia into a first-innings lead. Nadine de Klerk removed Beth Mooney and Delmi Tucker got the big scalp of the opposition skipper Alyssa Healy, denying her maiden Test century by just one run to bring South Africa back into the contest. Annabel Sutherland completed her well-deserved half-century before the end of 1st day’s play.
Annabel Sutherland resumed the 2nd day’s play alongside her overnight partner Ashleigh Gardner at the other end. She continued with her positive approach as Gardner provided the ideal support from the other end to form a massive 144-run partnership for the 6th wicket to take the lead over the 300-run mark. Nadine de Klerk came back and picked up the wicket of Ashleigh Gardner to provide the much-needed breakthrough for South Africa.
Sophie Molineux joined Annabel Sutherland at the crease and the duo stitched another crucial 86-run partnership for the 7th wicket before Chloe Tryon cleaned up Sophie Molineux to provide the breakthrough for South Africa. The 26-year-old all-rounder looked confident with the bat during her stay at the crease on her return to international cricket. Kim Garth joined Annabel Sutherland at the crease and Annabel Sutherland completed her maiden double century in the red-ball format during the 62-run partnership for the 8th wicket before Chloe Tryon picked up the massive wicket of Annabel Sutherland to provide some respite for the South Africans.
She became the 9th player and the 5th Australian to score a double century in the red-ball format and the 2nd youngest player at the age of 22 years and 126 days, after former Indian legend Mithali Raj who achieved the historic feat at the age of 19 years and 254 days. Australia eventually declared the innings on 575/9 in the 126th over of the innings. It is the highest team total in the history of a Women’s Test match, also their 1st innings lead of 499 is the highest ever in a women’s Test match. She also scored the fastest century by an Australian Women in the red-ball format in a one-off Test match in the Women’s Ashes in June last year when she reached her milestone in just 148 balls.
With a massive 1st innings lead, the visitors, South Africa were under enormous pressure to bat out of their skins to save this historic Test match with a spirited performance with the bat in their 2nd innings after an absorbing day on the field. However, the South African top order failed to put up a fight as they were sent back to the pavilion cheaply by Australia’s new ball bowlers Kim Garth and Darcie Brown. The wicket of Sune Luus and their skipper Laura Wolvaaardt was a huge blow for the Proteas. At 13/3 in the 8th over of the innings Delmi Tucker joined Tazmin Brits at the crease and the duo managed to weather the storm with an unbeaten 54-run partnership for the 4th wicket. Going into the 3rd Day’s play, the duo would be targeting to survive the morning session without being separated and then reassess the situation from thereon for the South Africans to script their fightback story at the W.A.C.A in this historic Test match against Australia.