Annabel Sutherland's impressive century, coupled with England's costly fielding mistakes, placed Australia in a commanding position during the one-off Ashes Test match held in Melbourne. The match not only showcased Sutherland's talent but also set a new world record for attendance at a women's Test, drawing a crowd of 23,561. This surpasses the previous record of 23,207 set at Trent Bridge in 2023.
The Test match, which took place at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), marked a significant milestone in women's cricket. Sutherland became the first woman to score a century at this historic venue, further solidifying her status as a rising star in the sport. She has now made a century every time she has passed 30 runs in Tests, highlighting her consistency and skill.
Day two of the match saw Australia finish at an impressive score of 422-5, enjoying a substantial lead of 252 runs. This commanding position was aided by England's seven dropped catches, which allowed Australian players to capitalize on missed opportunities. Beth Mooney, who remained unbeaten on 98, was particularly fortunate, having been dropped three times at critical junctures when she was on scores of eight, eleven, and eighteen.
Sutherland's journey to her century was not without its challenges. She was dropped twice while batting, first on 29 by Danni Wyatt-Hodge and then on 31 by Amy Jones. Alongside Phoebe Litchfield, who contributed a solid 45 runs before being caught behind off Lauren Bell, Sutherland added 80 runs for the second wicket. Her previous Ashes century came while batting at number eight during the match at Trent Bridge last year.
The Australian side showcased their batting prowess, with Sutherland's remarkable performance standing out. She reflected on her achievement, stating,
"It was pretty special. To have a Test match here at the G, have a good time and score some runs, it's pretty special. I got to do it in front of family and friends."
Despite Australia's dominance, England's bowler Sophie Ecclestone managed to dismiss Ash Gardner for 44 late in the day. Gardner herself was dropped earlier while batting on scores of twelve and thirty-six. The English team struggled defensively throughout the match, leading Lauren Filer to express her disappointment regarding their performance.
Filer acknowledged the team's shortcomings and remarked,
"It's not been the tour we wanted. We all know we're better than this, we don't need reminding. Hopefully over the next few days we can show what we're made of."
As the match progresses into its final stages, Australia maintains full control and looks set to claim victory, bolstered by their strong batting line-up and England's fielding lapses. The one-off Test has not only provided thrilling cricket but has also underscored the growing prominence and popularity of women's sports.
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