Australia’s women’s team has enjoyed a dream start to their first-ever Test match against South Africa at the WACA, claiming eight wickets for just 55 runs in a rampant first session with South Africa falling apart in a collapse of 6-17.
When play resumed, Darcie Brown claimed the final two wickets to claim a maiden Test five-for and dismiss the visitors for a total of just 76.
However Australia was then sitting 3-12 with Phoebe Litchfield (4), Ellyse Perry (3) and Tahlia McGrath (0) gone cheaply.
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South Africa was handed a massive setback before the historic match began, with superstar all-rounder Marizanne Kapp ruled out due to illness. Then Australia captain Alyssa Healy won the toss for a seventh time in a row this series and chose to bowl, despite the intense 40-plus degree heat.
The decision immediately paid off when recalled Australia quick Darcie Brown had opener Anneke Bosch caught behind for a duck in just the second over.
Just a couple of balls earlier, Beth Mooney – who has taken some exceptional catches in the slips this series – put down a chance when Bosch edged one her way.
Annabel Sutherland was at second slip, Mooney’s usual position. Sutherland appeared to go for the ball before pulling out, which may have distracted Mooney in the rare drop.
But it didn’t have much of an impact, because Brown cramped up Bosch with a well-directed ball back of a length, the opener edging the ball straight into the air for keeper Alyssa Healy to take a simple catch and leave South Africa 1/2.
Seamer Kim Garth was finding plenty of swing from the other end, and her last delivery of her second over was edged by South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt – only for Healy to drop it while diving at full stretch.
But with the very next ball, Brown picked up a second wicket – with Mooney making up for her earlier drop by snaffling an even harder chance to dismiss Wolvaardt for four.
Tazmin Brits battled hard but was eventually dismissed for 5 off 48 balls, when Annabel Sutherland struck her on the pads before Healy successfully called for an LBW review.
It left South Africa 3/33 – and Sutherland cleaned up Delmi Tucker’s stumps the next ball to get on a hat-trick, though she missed the chance when she resumed her assault an over later.
But it wasn’t long before Australia struck again, with Sophie Molineux taking a fine catch at second slip when Sune Luus edged a wide ball off Sutherland, departing for 26 off 45.
Sutherland had claimed 3/9 off five overs, with South Africa reeling at 5/42.
“South Africa (are) in complete disarray at the moment,” Isa Guha said in commentary for Fox Cricket.
Tahlia McGrath – Australia’s fifth pace option – joined the bowling attack in the 21st over, with Australia rotating through bowlers quickly given the scorching conditions.
It took her just two balls to claim a wicket, with Nadine de Klerk (5) edging to Beth Mooney in the slips.
McGrath then picked up her second in her following over when Sinalo Jafta fell for a duck (off 8), slashing at a wide ball and feathering the slightest of edges to Alyssa Healy.
It left South Africa 7/50.
Darcie Brown was brought back into the attack to clean up the tail, as Isa Guha said: “She’s going for the jugular here, Alyssa Healy. A bit of extra pace for the lower order.”
Brown took just two balls to dismiss Chloe Tryon for 5 (16), driving on the up but hitting it straight to Ellyse Perry in the covers.
The visitors survived to reach 8-55 for lunch, as Guha said: “It’s been dismal from them.”
Brown and Sutherland had three wickets apiece, with McGrath claiming the other two.
Brown claimed her fourth in the first over after lunch, with Nonkululeko Mlaba (6) spooning a shot to Tahlia McGrath at cover for a simple catch.
And she sealed the rout when she clean bowled Ayanda Hlubi for five, ending South Africa’s innings on 76 runs.
Brown finished with 5/21 off 9.2 overs. Sutherland had 3/19 and McGrath 2/4.
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PREVIEW
The WACA – the beloved Perth venue – has not hosted a men’s Test since the 2017/18 Ashes, while it is a first women’s Test at the iconic ground since 2014, when Ellyse Perry claimed eight wickets and topscored in both innings in a 61-run loss to England.
Perry needs 78 more runs to pass the great Karen Rolton and become Australia’s leading Test run-scorer.
The WACA also hosted Tests in 1958 and 1984, both matches being drawn. Australia is not just hoping for a first Test win at the WACA, but a first win on home soil since January 2011, when they beat England by 7 wickets at Bankstown Oval.
South Africa are relative newcomers to the Test arena, having played just three Tests in the last two decades, most recently a rain-struck draw with England in 2022. Just six of their squad have Test caps, compared to all 14 of the Australian unit.
Australia has played two Tests over the past eight months, an 89-run victory over England at Trent Bridge and an eight-wicket loss to India at Wankehde Stadium.
The one-off Test will wrap up Australia’s multi-format series against the Proteas, which the hosts currently lead 8-4 after winning four of the six white-ball contests. However, South Africa will draw the series if they win the historic Test, which is worth four points.
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The Bureau of Meteorology has predicted another heatwave to hit Perth, which could wreak havoc on the match.
Thursday is forecast to reach 43C, while the final day of the four-day match on Sunday could reach 42C.
Perth has already seen an equal-record four days of 40 degrees or more this February.
“They’ve put a lot of water into (the pitch), I watched them water it for the hour that I was keeping yesterday,” Australia’s Alyssa Healy said yesterday.
“But it seems like from all reports, it’s going to be a traditional WACA wicket where it could be a little bit tricky early on, but flatten out by the end of it and be a beautiful batting wicket.
“Whatever we do first tomorrow, we’re going to have to work hard, make sure we’re on point, but hopefully, find ourselves on top of the battle.”
The Perth Test between Australia and South Africa gets underway at the WACA on Thursday, with the first ball scheduled for 2pm AEDT. 100 overs are scheduled for each day, 10 more than a men’s Test given the match lasts four days instead of five.
Session times: First session: 2pm-4pm AEDT |Second session: 4.40pm-6.40pm| Third session: 7pm-9pm.
TEAM NEWS
Marizanne Kapp, who scored 150 runs in her first Test match and has starred for South Africa throughout this multi-format series, was ruled out on game day due to illness.
South Africa captain Laura Woolvaardt said: “Unfortunately, Kappy is not feeling very well … very big loss for us.”
For Australia, Sophie Molineux returns for the first time since 2021. Darcie Brown is also included in the side.
Australia XI: Beth Mooney, Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Tahlia McGrath, Alyssa Healy (c, wk), Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Sophie Molineux, Kim Garth, Alana King, Darcie Brown
South Africa XI: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Anneke Bosch, Sune Luus, Tazmin Brits, Delmi Tucker, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Nonkululeko Mlaba, Masabata Klaas, Ayanda Hlubi