Australian all-rounder Annabel Sutherland continues to etch her name in the record books, delivering a phenomenal performance in the pink-ball Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
In just her sixth Test match, the 23-year-old notched up her third century in the format, equaling the Australian record held by Betty Wilson and Jill Kennare for the most Test hundreds. With this milestone, she has also become the first woman to register a Test century at the MCG, further cementing her status as one of the brightest stars in women’s cricket.
Sutherland’s feat places her in elite company as only the third woman in history to convert her first three Test half-centuries into hundreds. She follows in the footsteps of England’s Claire Taylor, who remarkably converted her first four fifties, and the legendary Enid Bakewell. This latest ton saw Sutherland masterfully dominate England’s bowling attack on the second day of this historic Test, marking a significant moment in Australian cricket.
The Victorian allrounder reached the three-figure mark in 193 deliveries during the second session on Friday. While her innings was marked by patience and resilience, she also made the most of England’s errors in the field. She was given a lifeline on 29 when Danni Wyatt-Hodge put down a chance off Sophie Ecclestone, and again at 31 when wicketkeeper Amy Jones missed a difficult opportunity. Making England pay for their mistakes, Sutherland reached her half-century in 107 balls and carried on to produce a knock for the ages. She ultimately perished after scoring 163 runs off 258 balls.
Sutherland’s Test career has been nothing short of spectacular. She first made headlines with her maiden Test century at Trent Bridge 18 months ago, where she played an unbeaten knock of 137 while batting at No.8. Eight months later, she raised the bar further at the WACA, hammering a sensational 210 against South Africa after being promoted to No.6. Now, in front of her home crowd at the MCG, she has delivered another masterclass, reinforcing her reputation as a big-match player.
Coming into this match, Sutherland was facing a lean patch with the bat, managing only 54 runs across six innings in the white-ball leg of the multi-format series, with the highest score of 18. However, the switch to Test whites on her home turf proved to be the perfect setting for her resurgence. She walked in late on day one at No.3—a tactical change due to an injury concern over Ellyse Perry—and remained composed to finish the day on 24 not out.
After a patient start, she reached 71 by tea and accelerated in the final session. Once she crossed the 80-run mark, her strokes flowed freely. She raced from 86 to 99 in just seven deliveries, striking three boundaries along the way. A brief pause ensued with drinks break and a quiet over from Beth Mooney holding the strike. Then, with a perfectly timed cut shot off Ecclestone, Sutherland brought up her hundred.
This match itself holds historical significance, being the first women’s Test at the MCG since 1949 and the first-ever pink-ball Test at the iconic venue. Until Sutherland’s heroics, the highest individual score in a women’s Test at the MCG had been Betty Snowball’s unbeaten 83, recorded way back in 1935. By rewriting history on her home ground, Sutherland has given the MCG crowd a performance to remember.
Australia, already in command, are well on their way to asserting complete dominance in this Test. After dismissing England for just 170 on day one, the hosts ended the second day at a formidable 422 for 5, leading by 252 runs. Beth Mooney remains unbeaten on 98, eyeing her own milestone, while Tahlia McGrath is at the crease on 9. With a 16-0 series whitewash on the line, Australia look set to continue their relentless march, with Sutherland’s brilliance leading the charge.
(Inputs sourced from Hypocaust)
Loves all things female cricket
