A brutal Australian outfit has wrapped up a comprehensive victory over South Africa in the two nations’ one-off Test, despite a plucky middle-order fightback from the tourists.
Delmi Tucker (64) and Chloe Tryon (64) conjured half-centuries to frustrate the Australian attack before Ash Gardner removed Tucker to spark a collapse.
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Player of the match Annabel Sutherland then had a hand in three of the final five wickets, including dismissing Tryon bowled, to help Australia claim victory by an innings and 284 runs — the second-heaviest defeat in any women’s Test.
In a staggering all-round effort, Sutherland became the first woman to score a double century and take five wickets in the same Test.
Star teammate Ellyse Perry said Sutherland’s performance was “one for the ages”.
“It’s hard to believe she’s just 22 years old the way that she bats out there with so much composure and belief in her own game,” Perry told Fox Cricket post-match.
“Her innings was special but equally she contributed with the ball.”
South Africa resumed day three at 3-67 and scrapped to 4-156, before losing their final six wickets for just 59 runs.
Australia’s victory in the one-off Test also meant they claimed the multi-format series 12-4, with Beth Mooney named player of the series.
“These series are the ones we look forward to … It tests all skills of the game and is really exciting,” Mooney said.
“I didn’t have the best series in India so I came home and worked hard and made sure I was right to go for this series.”
Australian captain Alyssa Healy said she was “very proud” of her team.
“It’s been an amazing series,” she said. “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.”
Having beaten the hosts for the first time in ODIs and T20s during their tour, South Africa were hoping to go out on a high with a momentous Test win at Perth’s WACA Ground.
Sutherland notches second Test century | 01:02
But they were rocked by star player Marizanne Kapp being ruled out ill before the match started and Australia emphatically showed who was boss.
It was only South Africa’s second Test match in a decade and captain Laura Wolvaardt admitted it had been a learning experience.
“All credit to Australia, we were pretty much outplayed in all facets of the game,” she said. “But a great experience for us and we enjoyed the opportunity.”
Asked if she wanted to play more red ball cricket, Wolvaardt said: “I personally would love to.
“It was a huge challenge, but I think the girls really enjoyed themselves out there.”
Aussie momentum halted on Day Three | 00:50
South Africa were bundled out for just 76 — the nation’s lowest Test score — in 31.2 overs on a searing hot opening day after Healy won the toss and sent them into bat. Speedster Darcie Brown took 5-21 and all-rounder Sutherland 3-19.
In reply, Australia declared late on day two at 9-575 – the highest women’s Test innings score in history – with a 499-run advantage, with Sutherland bringing up the fastest-ever double ton before eventually falling for 210.
South Africa put up stiffer resistance in their second innings, before the tail folded and they were out for 215 on day three.
Brown took 2-47 to claim seven for the game while player-of-the-match Sutherland picked up another two.
— with AFP