The Melbourne Cricket Ground has witnessed countless moments of cricketing brilliance. From Sir Donald Bradman’s legendary innings to Shane Warne’s iconic deliveries, the ‘G’ has been home to some of the sport’s greatest triumphs. On a warm summer afternoon, Annabel Sutherland added her name to that list, crafting a masterful 163 against England in the Ashes Test. This wasn’t just a century — it was a statement. A knock that combined patience with aggression, resilience with flair, and an unrelenting hunger to dominate the biggest stage.
Coming in at No. 3 — promoted due to Ellyse Perry’s injury — Sutherland walked in with Australia still trailing England’s first-innings total of 170. The early morning moisture still lingered in the pitch, and England’s bowlers were hunting for breakthroughs. But what followed was a clinic in Test-match batting, an innings that shifted the momentum of the game and perhaps the entire Ashes series.
A Knock for the Ages
Sutherland’s innings started cautiously. She left deliveries outside off, defended solidly and absorbed the early pressure. England, however, let her off the hook twice in quick succession — first when Danni Wyatt spilled a diving catch at backward point when Sutherland was on 29, and then two runs later when a thick edge off Sophie Ecclestone’s bowling evaded Amy Jones behind the stumps. These moments proved costly. Once Sutherland settled in, she punished England for their lapses.
By lunch, she had moved to a measured half-century. But the true masterclass began in the second session. Her drives were crisp, her footwork decisive and her shot selection impeccable. She took on England’s premier spinner Ecclestone with confidence, stepping out to loft her over mid-on, threading drives through tight gaps and finding singles with ease. Her best shot of the day — a perfectly placed cover drive between two diving fielders — was a moment of pure class, showcasing her touch and precision.
Sutherland reached her hundred off 193 balls, raising her arms to a standing ovation from the MCG crowd. She didn’t stop there. With Beth Mooney anchoring the other end, she accelerated, bringing up 150 in just 56 more deliveries. England’s bowlers had no answers. She took them apart methodically, punishing anything short, exploiting gaps in the field, and never letting the pressure shift.
Her innings finally ended at 163 when Ryana MacDonald-Gay breached her defence, crashing the off-stump. As she walked back, the MCG crowd acknowledged a knock that will be remembered for years.
A Historic Feat
Sutherland’s ton was the first-ever by a woman in a Test match at the MCG, a ground she grew up watching cricket at. With it, she equalled Betty Wilson and Jill Kennare for the most Test centuries by an Australian woman (three). She also became the first woman in history to post consecutive 150-plus scores in Tests, following her 210 against South Africa last year.
But this was about more than just records. It was about an emerging superstar proving that she belongs among the very best. Her ability to construct an innings, adapt to different match situations and dominate world-class bowling attacks has made her the backbone of Australia’s Test line-up.
Mooney, who played the perfect supporting role, remains unbeaten on 98, agonisingly close to her own century. England, meanwhile, were left to rue their fielding lapses, dropping as many as eight catches on the day. Their struggles continued as Australia piled on a commanding 422/5, taking a 252-run lead that all but shut the door on any hopes of a comeback.
With three days still left to play, Australia hold complete control over the Test. England will need nothing short of a miracle to avoid another heavy defeat in the Ashes series. But regardless of what happens next, this match will always be remembered for one thing — Annabel Sutherland’s MCG masterclass.
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