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Australia have managed to lay their hands firm on Day 2 of the one-off Test against England as the home side are in a commanding position at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and heading towards a gigantic total against England. The highlight of the Australian innings so far has been a stellar knock from top-order batter Annabel Sutherland whose emphatic century turned the tides in favour of the hoওme๊ side.
Annabel Sutherland shines against England pace attack
Sutherland came at a crucial time on the pitch. England have managed to get an early breakthrough after Georgia Voll could not withstand the pressure from Lauren Bell and gave her wicket away on the opening day of the match. Sutherland along with Phoebe Litchfield ensured that the home side recovered from the fallout of an early dismissal and stabiliꦐzed the Australian innings.
After Litchfield’s dismissal, Sutherland then took charge of the Australian innings and carved out an emphatic partnership of 71 runs with skipper Alyssa Healy. The saga of a 50-run partnerships with Sutherland continued with Beth Mooney as Sutherland ensured that the Australian innings did not derail amidst steady fall of wickets from the other e🔥nd.
Sutherland’s century came on the 72nd over of the Australian innings as Sutherland plays a remarkable cut-off to score another boundary of her innings to bring the well-deserved century.﷽ This was her first Test ton at the iconic MCG. The 23-year-old also scripted history by becoming the first woman to score a century at the historic venue. Her century came off 193 deliveries studded with 13 boundaries and a towering six.
Her phenomenal innings came to an end as she was sent back to the pavilion on 163 runs off 258 balls as Ryana-McDonald Gay took her wicket in the 91st over of the Australian innings. The crowd at the MCG stood up to♉ a monumental applause on the historic milestone and the magnificent knock which the youngster played in the one-off ꦦTest.
Australia headed towards a gigantic total
A determined effort from Australia with the bat has paved the way for Australia to reach a mammoth total in their 1st innings at the pink-ball Test. The visitors failed to trouble the Australian bowlers much and could only forge a total of 170 runs on the opening day. In response, Australia have already surpassed England’s 1st innings total and are on the way for a huge total to exert further pressure on the visitor’s batting line-up. Bell has been the most successful English bowler so far as she took 2 for 82 runs in 22-overs spell. Sophie Ecclestone and💦 Ryana took 1 wicket each although they gave away too many runs aꦯgainst the home side.
Also Watch: Phoebe Litchfield takes a remarkab🌄le catch to dismiss Danni Wyatt-Hodge during the Pink-Ball Test
Here’s how fans reacted
What a privilege to witness Annabel Sutherland become the first woman to make an International Test century at the MCG 🤩 History in the maki꧑ng. 💯🏏🏟️
— Dr Kasey Symons (@kaseysymons)
Annabel Sutherland – superstar ⭐
— Nathalie Brough (@nbrough)
People thought Annabel Sutherland was out of form in the white ball ashes matches (even though she had insane end to 2024) but she was just marinating for her 3꧋rd test century and first at her home ground the MCG 🥹🥰
— Picasstonian (@hf2_0_2_)
Proud day for watched by her proud parents scoring a century in 💟an Test at the MCG, such a technically adroit batter.
— Robert Smith (@OnyaDon)
Century on the MCG!
Well played Annabel Sutherland! 👏🏻
— Lachy (@Lachy_Steele)
Another test match 💯 for Annabel Sutherland
— Georgie Heath🎙️ (@GeorgieHeath27)
3️⃣rd Test hundred for Annabel 🎶Sutherland 👊🏏
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ)
Annabel Sutherland’s Test average is 93.0.
558 runs in 6 completed innings.
As at the dinner break.
— Paul Dennett (@PaulDennett_)
🏏Go Annabel Sutherland! 1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣
🏏What a magnificent century. 🙌🏼— Cheryl Critchley (@CherylCritchley)
Wrote this a month ago but very relevant today.
Annabel Sutherland was introduced to🍷 cricket fans five years ago as James Sutherland’s daughtඣer.
Today, he appeared 💫on TV as “Annabel Sutherꦏland’s father”.
— Scott Bailey (@ScottBaileyAAP)
Also Watch: Debut🧸ant Georgia Voll takes a blinder to dismiss Lauren Filler on Day 1 of the Pink-Ball Test | Women’s Ashes 2025
This article was first published at , a Cricket Times company.