Magnificent Sutherland leads Australia to brink of victory
A record-breaking century from Annabel Sutherland moved Australia to the brink of victory over India in the pink-ball Test at the Waca.
Sutherland’s imperious 129 was her fourth century in only seven Tests, the most by an Australian woman and one short of the world record held by England’s Jan Brittin. It helped Australia to 323 all out in their first innings, a lead of 125. By the close India were hanging on at 105 for 6.
The outstanding Sutherland received excellent support from Ellyse Perry, who broke an even more significant record during her innings of 76. Shortly before she was dismissed, Perry moved past Karen Rolton to become Australia’s highest scorer in Women’s Tests.
India had the unenviable task of beginning their innings under lights and were in trouble from the moment Smriti Mandhana dragged Darcie Brown’s second ball onto the stumps.
Sutherland picked up two more wickets, including Jemimah Rodrigues to a horrible ramp shot, to make it six in the match. The outstanding debutant Lucy Hamilton also has six in the match after taking 3 for 32 from eight menacing overs.
The match might have ended inside two days but the discipline and judgement of another Test debut, India’s No3 Pratika Rawal. She played a classical Test innings and finished on 43 not out from 84 balls.
Rawal’s presence gives India a sliver of hope, but Australia are likely to complete victory tomorrow afternoon. If they do, the player of the match award will be a formality.
Updated
Stumps: India trail by 20 runs
29th over: India 105-6 (Rawal 43, Rana 13) Brown tries her luck around the wicket to the right-handed Rana. She defends solidly before crunching a single to mid-on. Rawal ducks the last delivery to ensure she will be back tomorrow afternoon. But Australia are on course for a thumping victory after another dominant day at the Waca.
