Image: Annabel Sutherland made history with the first women's Test century at the MCG / © Times of India
Australian all-rounder Annabel Sutherland made history by scoring a remarkable century in the ongoing pink-ball Women’s Ashes Test against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Playing in just her sixth Test, Sutherland became the first woman to register a Test hundred at the MCG and the third Australian woman to reach three Test centuries.
The 22-year-old reached her hundred off 193 deliveries during the second session on day two, capitalizing on two dropped catches by England. She was initially given a lifeline on 29 when Danni Wyatt-Hodge missed a catch off Ecclestone’s bowling, followed by another chance two runs later when wicketkeeper Amy Jones failed to grab an edge.
Sutherland’s first Test century came against England 18 months ago at Trent Bridge, where she scored an unbeaten 137 while batting at No.8. She followed it up with a career-best 210 against South Africa in Perth after being promoted to No.6. Despite struggling in the white-ball series, scoring just 54 runs in six innings, she bounced back in the MCG Test after being promoted to No.3 due to Ellyse Perry’s injury concerns. Her century adds another milestone to Australia’s dominance in women’s Test cricket.