Annabel Sutherland’s double century propelled Australia to a mammoth 499-run first-innings lead against the Proteas in the one-off women’s Test at the WACA Ground.
After starting day two in Perth on 251-5, Sutherland went on to achieve the second-highest women’s Test score for her nation with 210 off 256 balls (27 fours, two sixes), while Ashleigh Gardner made 65 off 130.
Australia eventually declared on 575-9.
Kim Garth (2-8) and Darcie Brown (1-18) then reduced the Proteas to 13-3 in their second innings, before Delmi Tucker (27*) and Tazmin Brits (18*) got them to 67-3 at stumps.
HIGHLIGHTS: Australia vs Proteas Women (Only Test, Day 2)
After strong performances from Alyssa Healy (99 off 124 balls) and Beth Mooney (78 off 109) on day one, overnight batters Gardner (yet to score) and Sutherland (54*) forged a 144-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
Sutherland achieved her second Test hundred, while Gardner marked her third half-century, guiding the hosts to a commanding position of 366-5 at lunch.
Nadine de Klerk (2-96) eventually broke the partnership as Gardner departed, but Sutherland continued her dominance, reaching 150 in a seventh-wicket stand with Sophie Molineux (33) worth 86 runs before Chloé Tryon (3-81) dismissed the latter.
Despite a lead exceeding 400 runs, Australia opted against an early declaration, allowing Sutherland to continue her innings. She played a crucial role in a 62-run partnership with Garth before achieving her maiden Test double hundred.
Sutherland was eventually dismissed in the 122nd over by Tryon, before Garth, partnered with Alana King (eight), added an aggressive 34-run stand.
When Tryon claimed the ninth wicket, Australia declared, with Garth left undefeated on 49 off 45 deliveries.
The Proteas top order then failed again, with Garth dismissing Anneke Bosch (nought) and Suné Luus (five), and Brown removing captain Laura Wolvaardt (eight).
Debutants Brits and Tucker fought hard, though, producing a half-century stand of 54 runs for the fourth wicket.
Photo: Paul Kane/Getty Images
