Table of Contents
The second day of the only Test in the Women’s Ashes 2025 saw Australia take firm control of the match against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. At stumps, . This remarkable position was powered by a scintillating century from Annabel Sutherland and a resilient knock from Beth Mooney, leaving England with a d🧸aunting challenge heading into Day 3.
Annabel Sutherland creates history with a record-breaking century
Sutherland stole the show with a magnificent innings of 163 runs, laced with 13 fours and a six. With this remarkable century, she etched her name into the history books, becoming the first woman to score a Test century at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. Sutherland’s innings was a display of class, patience, and power, dismantling England’s bowling attack with ease. Her knock provided the backbone for Australia’s formidable first-innings total and ensured a stronghold over their arch-rivals.
Beth Mooney’s unbeaten knock and solid contributions by Australian batters
Wicketkeeper-batter Mooney played a crucial supporting role, remaining unbeaten on 98 at the close of play. Her innings was built on sheer determination, as she anchored the innings alongside Sutherland. Striking seven boundaries, Mooney showcased her exceptional technique and temperament, standing firm as Australia’s run tally soare꧂d past the 400-run mark.
Apart from the heroics of Sutherland and Mooney, Australia’s batting lineup saw vital contributions from opener and middle-order batter Ashleigh Gardner. Litchfield set the tone early in the innings with a fluent 45, which included five boundaries, before falling short of a half-century. Gardner, on the other hand, played an aggressive knock of 44, smashing six fours, ensuring that the momentum remained with Australia throughout the day. With Mooney still at the crease alongside Tahlia McGrath🌟 (9*), Australia will look to extend their lead even further on Day 3.
England’s bowling efforts fall short
England’s bowlers struggled to contain the dominant Australian batting lineup. Lauren Bell provided some resistance with her right-arm medium-fast bowling, picking up two crucial wickets in her spell. Left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone also claimed two wickets, while Ryana McDonald-Gay chipped in 🅰with one. However, their combined efforts were not enough to curb Australia’s charge, as the hosts dictated terms with the bat. Australia is in a prime position to dictate the course of the match on Day 3. England will have to deliver an exceptional performance with the ball in the morning session if they are to have any chance of mounting a comeback.
Also READ: AUS vs ENG: Fans erupt as Annabel Sutherland hits a remarkable century on Day 2 of Pink-Bal𒁏l Test | Women’s Ashes 2025
Here is how Twitter reacted:
annabel sutherla🐼nd proving once again she is the best cricketer in her family
— bec (@drsloverr)
Aꦅs soon as I saw AusW was 420/5, I was lik🧸e Annabel Sutherland would have hit a 100. And she did. A 163…
— Alex (@hand_ofdevil87)
Best Average in Women’s Tests (min 500 runs):
ANNABEL SUTHERLAND 🇦🇺 – 83.7
Denise Annetts 🇦🇺 – 81.9
Shafali Verma 🇮🇳 – 63.0
Ellyse Perry 🇦🇺 – 61.9
Enid Bakewell 🏴 – 59.9— Sahil Pednekar 🇮🇳 (@statsbysahil)
Day 2, Stumps
Australia: 422/5, lead by 252 runs 🏏
Annabel Sutherland: 163
Beth Mooney: 98*— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ)
🚨 83.71 TEST AVERAGE..!!🤯
Annabel Sutherland's Test batting average is now 83.71.
– the highest by any woman with at least 500 Test runs.
— DEEP SINGH (@CrazyCricDeep)
A near perfect day for Australia. Annabel Sutherland and Beth Mooney take a bow, brilliant innings. Mooney will chase a century tomorrow. Australia's lead is 252.
A disaster for England, 7 dropped catches (one or t🐠wo tough ones though).
— Crowdiegal (@crowdiegal)
England drop eight catches as Australia dominate Ashes Test England were made to pay for a calamitous fielding display as Annabel Sutherland's incredible 163 runs from 258 deliveries helped Australia into a dominant 252-run lead on day two of the pink-ball Ashes Test in Melbour…
— 1xbet Global (@sakuraghi14)
Beth Mooney 98* at stumps
Tahlia tried to get her over the line but it wasn't to be
Australia 5/422 🇦🇺— Stephanie Dempsey (@Stephanie85WAGY)
Good news for England is they created 15 chances today. Bad news is ൲Australia are 5/422.
— Andrew Wu (@wutube)
After a superb day for our girls, Beth Mooney w꧑ill resume batting tomorrow on 98 😮
— Australian Women's Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket)
Also READ:
This article was first published at , a Cricket Times company.