Australia further strengthened their position in the ongoing women’s Ashes pink-ball Test, finishing Day 2 at 422/5, for a commanding lead of 252 runs. They added 366 to their overnight score, thanks to brilliant knocks from Annabel Sutherland and Beth Mooney.
Sutherland smashed her third Test century, equalling the record for the most hundreds by an Australian woman. She also became the first Australian woman to score a Test century at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Mooney finished the day unbeaten on 98, setting up a dramatic race against time to reach her maiden Test hundred before stumps.
The final over of the day brought high drama, with England skipper Heather Knight coming on to bowl. Mooney, on 96, faced two of the first three balls and moved to 98 before ending up at the non-striker’s end. Fans eagerly anticipated a single from Tahlia McGrath on the next delivery so that Mooney could get two balls to reach her hundred.
However, McGrath took two runs and then failed to rotate the strike, leaving Mooney stranded on 98 as she defended the final ball. The missed opportunity left the crowd slightly disappointed, but Mooney will resume on Day 3 with a golden chance to complete her milestone.
It was another tough day for England’s bowlers. Lauren Bell added to her previous day’s tally, dismissing Phoebe Litchfield for 45 after an 80-run stand for the second wicket. Alyssa Healy and Sutherland then put together a crucial 71-run partnership before the former became Sophie Ecclestone’s first victim, departing for 34.
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Sutherland continued to impress, playing delightful strokes on her way to 163 off 258 balls. Her innings ended when young pacer Ryana MacDonald-Gay produced a superb delivery that nipped back through the gate to rattle the stumps, breaking a 154-run fourth-wicket stand.
Mooney, alongside Ashleigh Gardner (44), added another 81 runs for the fifth wicket before Ecclestone struck again. By stumps, Australia had built a strong platform with a lead of 252. However, Ellyse Perry did not come out to bat today as she injured her hip while diving to save a boundary.
England’s fielding was sloppy, with several half-chances going down — missed opportunities that could have made a difference. The hosts are now inching closer to a historic 16-0 Ashes series sweep, while England faces a tough road ahead.
If they are to mount a comeback, their bowlers must strike early on Day 3, removing the remaining five Australian wickets as quickly as possible. More importantly, their batters will need to step up in the second innings to keep the contest alive.
Brief score: England-W 170/10 in 71.4 overs (Nat Sciver-Brunt 51, Alana King 4/45) vs Australia-W 422/5 in 120 overs (Annabel Sutherland 163, Sophie Ecclestone 2/134)
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