Australia women defeated South Africa by a record-breaking innings and 284 runs in the one-off Test at the WACA (Western Australian Cricket Association Ground) in Perth on Saturday.
Despite fighting knocks from Delmi Tucker and Chloe Tryon in South Africa’s second innings, Australia went on to secure their largest victory by the margin of innings, overcoming their previous best of innings and 140 runs against England in 2001. This was also the second-biggest win by the margin of an innings.
Alyssa Healy won the toss and elected to field in searing hot conditions. Rising fast bowling star Darcie Brown ran through the Proteas’ batting lineup and restricted them to 76 all out with her maiden five-wicket haul to subject South Africa Women to their lowest-ever total in Test cricket.
After suffering early stutters against Masabata Klaas, Australia took control of their batting innings with brilliant fifties from Beth Mooney (78) and Alyssa Healy (99). However, it was Annabel Sutherland’s brilliant maiden double ton which helped the hosts press their advantage even further.
Sutherland was the ninth double centurion in the women’s Tests and the fifth player for Australia to get to the milestone.
Sutherland reached her landmark double ton off just 248 balls, making it the fastest double century in women’s Tests – the previous best being Karen Rolton’s off 306 balls. She also became the youngest Australian woman to score a double hundred.
Sutherland was eventually dismissed on 210, a tremendous knock that included 27 fours and two sixes.
Australia ended up declaring on 575/9 – the highest total in women’s Tests, breaking their own record set in 1998.
South Africa put up stiffer resistance in their second innings with Delmi Tucker and Chloe Tryon both hitting 64, before the tail folded and they were out for 215 on day three. Kim Garth, Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner and Annabel Sutherland all picked up two wickets each.
“It was a lot of fun out there. A beautiful place to bat. There’s not much more to it other than I love batting with my mates up the other end. It was great to bat with Ash and Midge as well. It’s a pretty good place to be. The white-ball series, credit to South Africa, you guys really challenged us. We fought hard, particularly in the third games of both series. Nice to have mum and dad here and a fair few family and friends have come across as well,” said player of the match Annabel Sutherland.
“I’m very proud. It’s been an amazing series. The white-ball series was really hard fought at times and we were really tested but the way we continued to bounce back right throughout was really impressive and to come here to the WACA and finish like we did really caps off the Aussie summer for us which is cool. We’ve got a trip to Bangladesh after the WPL and that’s huge leading into a T20 World Cup at the back end of this year. Two World Cups in the space of 18 months is huge for our squad and throw in an Ashes series in between. It’s a really big busy time for our group but I’ve never seen this group more hungry to play cricket and more excited to challenge themselves. Hopefully, we can have some success,” said Australia captain Alyssa Healy.
“All credit goes to Australia in this last red-ball game. We were outplayed in all facets of the game. But a great experience for us and we thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity. Getting to play a Test was really special at this iconic venue as well. It’s something were hoping to learn more about and play more in the future. I personally would love to play more. I think all the girls really enjoyed the challenge even though we were out there for quite a while. It was a great experience and we’d love to do more of it,” said South Africa skipper Laura Wolvaardt.
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