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Sutherland's 129 Puts Australia in Command Despite India's Fightback

Annabel Sutherland scored a commanding 129, becoming the first Australian woman to score four Test centuries, to steer Australia to a lead of 112 runs by the dinner break on day two. India fought back with a cluster of wickets, including the key dismissal of Sutherland by Deepti Sharma, to briefly lift their hopes. However, an unbroken 33-run stand for the ninth wicket between debutant Lucy Hamilton and Alana King frustrated India's bowlers under lights. With two wickets in hand, Australia is in a commanding position to extend their lead in the evening session.

Key Points: Annabel Sutherland Century Leads Australia in Pink-Ball Test

  • Sutherland hits fourth Test century
  • Australia leads by 112 runs
  • India fights back with cluster of wickets
  • Debutant Hamilton and King add crucial runs
2 min read

Pink-ball Test: Sutherland hits 129 as Australia extend lead to 112 runs despite Indian fightback

Annabel Sutherland scores 129 as Australia takes a 112-run lead over India on day two of the women's pink-ball Test in Perth.

"Annabel Sutherland smashed a masterful 129 to put Australia in command - Match Report"

Perth, March 7

Annabel Sutherland smashed a masterful 129 to put Australia in command of the pink-ball Test against India, as the hosts extended their lead to 112 runs at the dinner break on day two's play, despite a determined effort from the visitors to stay in the contest.

The session majorly belonged to Annabel, who reached her fourth Test century off 133 deliveries and became the first Australian woman to score four hundreds in the format and the first to record three tons in succession.

Her innings laced with 17 boundaries was marked by patience and authority, mixing crisp drives with calculated aggression, and she passed 700 career Test runs in the process. Annabel's dismissal - caught at long-on by Harmanpreet Kaur off Deepti Sharma - came after she had anchored Australia's middle order through a tricky passage, as India fought back with a cluster of wickets.

Beth Mooney's scratchy 19 ended with a chip to short extra cover, Ashleigh Gardner was bowled for one, and Smriti Mandhana pulled off a sharp catch at short leg to remove Tahlia McGrath for 13. Those strikes briefly lifted India's hopes, but Annabel's dominance ensured Australia's advantage grew steadily.

Debutant Lucy Hamilton (12 not out) and hometown favourite Alana King (21 not out) frustrated India further by stitching together a 33-run stand for the ninth wicket. Their resistance came after India opted for the new ball under lights, with Kashvee Gautam and Kranti Gaud having a go first with the fresh pink ball.

But they failed to deliver the breakthroughs India needed, as Australia crossed the 300 mark and tightened their grip on the match. India's bowlers, led by Deepti and Kranti, kept probing but were undermined by poor decision making in reviews and them looking short of ideas in bowling under lights.

With two wickets still in hand and the lead already past hundred, Australia will aim to push the advantage further in the evening session. For India, early strikes after the break are essential to prevent the deficit from becoming too big.

Brief Scores: India 198 in 62.4 overs (Jemimah Rodrigues 52; Annabel Sutherland 4-46) trail Australia 310/8 in 88 overs (Annabel Sutherland 129, Ellyse Perry 76; Sayali Satghare 2-38, Kranti Gaud 2-63) by 112 runs

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Annabel Sutherland was in a different zone today. Making a century in a pink-ball Test looks so difficult, but she made it look easy. Our fielding was good with that Mandhana catch, but the bowling plans in the final session seemed a bit predictable. Hope the team regroups during the break!
A
Aman W
The deficit is getting worrying. 112 runs already and they still have wickets. Our batting in the first innings wasn't up to the mark, only Jemimah showed some fight. The lower order needs to contribute when we bat again. This is Test cricket, patience is key.
S
Sarah B
What an innings from Sutherland! To score a century and take 4 wickets in the same match is phenomenal all-round performance. Shows the gulf in experience between the sides in this format. India's women need more multi-day cricket.
K
Karthik V
The article mentions poor decision making in reviews and being short of ideas under lights. That's the real concern. The captain and senior players need to step up strategically. We're giving away too many easy runs after taking wickets. The match is slipping, but not gone yet. Jai Hind!
N
Nisha Z
Feeling proud of the team's effort despite the scoreboard. Playing a pink-ball Test in Australia is never easy. Deepti and Kranti bowled their hearts out. We just need a couple of quick wickets after dinner. The spirit is good! 💪

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