Annabel Sutherland’s star has reached new, loftier heights, becoming just the fifth Australian woman to reach a Test double-century as records were smashed during her team’s dominant performance against South Africa in Perth.
Sutherland was eventually dismissed for 210 during the final session of the second day of the one-off Test as Australia pounded South Africa into submission to post the highest total in women’s Test cricket history.
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The Aussies declared at 9-575 — a 499-run lead over South Africa — with Kim Garth not out on 49.
“That is brutal from Alyssa Healy,” Fox Cricket’s Julia Price said after the Aussie skipper declared.
But the day belonged to Sutherland, whose effortless innings put South Africa in an unwinnable position.
After reaching her century off 149 balls to become the youngest Australian woman to score two Test hundreds, Sutherland upped the ante and doubled her score quickly, finishing her innings with 27 fours and two sixes.
A lofted straight drive off Nadine de Klerk from the final ball of the second session saw Sutherland move to an unbeaten 202 at tea, drawing a warm round of applause around the WACA, including from her parents in the grandstand.
Sutherland fell short of Ellyse Perry’s Aussie record of 213 not out, but that didn’t downplay her epic achievement.
Former Aussie star Mel Jones said Sutherland produced “the most magnificent double hundred you will ever see in Test match cricket”.
“Annabel Sutherland, soak it all up,” Jones said on Fox Cricket moments after Sutherland reached 200. “You completely deserve the applause here at the WACA and right around the world.
“It is an innings we will all remember so fondly – for skill, for determination, for fitness level.”
Price added: “She’s been outstanding. Hardly played a bad shot.
“The South Africans know they’ve witnessed something pretty special.
“What a player of the future. What a player of the now.”
Australian left-arm quick Jason Behrendorff added: “It was an amazing innings. Beautiful stroke play and the one to bring up her double century typified the way she’s been ale to play today. She’s put the bad ball away but also been solid in defence.”
It was the 22-year-old Sutherland’s second Test ton after top-scoring with an unbeaten 137 in Australia’s Ashes win over England in Nottingham last winter, making her the third-youngest player to achieve the feat behind former Indian captain Sandhya Agarwal and New Zealander Emily Drumm.
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“I love batting,” Annabel Sutherland said on Fox Cricket.
“It’s pretty hard to get up the order in the white ball stuff so it’s nice to get out there and spend time in the middle.
“I felt like I left the ball well outside off,” she adds, before declaring she’ll look to “cash in” after the lunch break.
An all-time shocker of a review from South Africa rubbed further salt into their wounds.
With Ash Gardner on 24, spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba saw a ball turn sharply and beat the outside edge. They opted for a review, but DRS showed the ball was missing the bat by some distance.
Australia skittled the visitors – who are without an ill Marizanne Kapp – for just 76 on the first day.
Darcie Brown took a maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket before South Africa responded brilliantly to have Australia’s top order in deep trouble at 3-12.
But Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney steadied the ship with a 155-run partnership. Mooney departed for 78 (109) before Mooney fell just before stumps on 99, heartbreakingly short of a maiden Test ton.
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South Africa remarkably collapse for 76! | 01:35
South Africa’s Masabata Klaas was the pick of the bowlers with 3-39 on the opening day, though they trailed by 175 runs after day one.
After temperatures hit 43 degrees on the opening day, conditions are far more moderate today with a light breeze and some cloud cover – though another heatwave arrives on Sunday.
— with NCA Newswire
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