Annabel Sutherland etched her name into history on day two of the Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), becoming the first woman to score a Test century at the iconic venue. The young all-rounder played a masterful knock of 163 off 258 balls, guiding Australia to a commanding 422-5 at stumps, with a lead of 252 runs. Sutherland, who started the day on 24 not out, dominated the English bowling attack, dispatching 14 boundaries in an innings filled with elegant stroke play and resilience.

She reached the historic three-figure mark with a precise cut shot, a moment she described as a dream come true.

Speaking to Fox Cricket after her record-breaking innings, Sutherland expressed her delight at achieving this feat at her home ground.

“It’s a pretty special place, especially as a Victorian. I’m stoked I could spend a bit of time out there, and we’re in a really good position, which is nice. Growing up, there was no better place to be than the ‘G, watching the cricket, watching the footy – a few Grand Finals as a Cats fan, which is cool. To be out there in the middle, it’s such a cool occasion for the whole group.”

Sutherland’s knock was part of a 154-run partnership with Beth Mooney, who remained unbeaten on 98 at the close of play. Mooney’s innings saw her surpass Karen Rolton as Australia’s fourth-highest female international run-scorer.

While Australia’s batters put on a dominant display, England’s fielding woes played a significant role in their struggles. The visitors dropped nine catches, with wicketkeeper Amy Jones also missing a crucial stumping opportunity. Sutherland herself was dropped twice and survived the missed stumping, while Mooney was given three lifelines before reaching 19.

Former England captain Alex Hartley criticised the team’s lackluster fielding, calling it their worst performance of the Ashes series.

“England’s fielding has been under the pump throughout this Ashes series, and in Test cricket, it shows you’ve got to be switched on every single ball,” Hartley told TNT Cricket.

“A couple of really easy chances for England there, and they just weren’t able to take them. Annabel Sutherland averages 418 when she gets past 28, and she’s made England pay for those dropped catches.”

Australian captain Alyssa Healy contributed 34 runs before being trapped LBW, but her dismissal wasn’t without controversy. Healy immediately reviewed the decision, with replays showing the ball wedged between bat and pad, making it difficult to determine if it had hit the bat first.

The third umpire took several minutes to review the footage before ultimately backing the on-field decision. Former Australian cricketer Alex Blackwell weighed in on the tough call, saying:

“It just looks to me there’s small deviation into the pad. Even on the replay, you can see a small deviation. It is a tough one for the umpire.”

The Aussies built their huge first-innings lead without the involvement of Ellyse Perry, who left the field on day one with a hip injury. While Cricket Australia confirmed Perry was fit to bat if required, captain Healy admitted they were uncertain about her involvement.

“To be completely honest, we’re still a little unsure about Pez,” Healy told Fox Cricket.

“What that does to our batting line-up, we’re not sure. I think today we’ll just look to solidify what we’re doing and then probably assess as we go throughout the day as to if we do have a cheeky little bowl tonight. But I dare say we’ll try and get as far in front as what we possibly can.”

With Australia firmly in control, the focus will now be on when Healy decides to declare. With Perry’s injury and the massive first-innings lead, the hosts will look to put England under pressure and aim for an early breakthrough when they bowl.

Alyssa Healy has led her team to the third ICC Women’s Championship in a row.© X/Twitter

Australia moved one step closer to the semifinals with a dominant performance on their way to a seven-wicket victory over a listless West Indies in the U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup here on Saturday. After winning the toss, Australia opted to field and immediately applied pressure, reducing the West Indies to 16-3 by the end of the powerplay. The West Indies batters struggled to settle as Australia kept striking at regular intervals, eventually bowling them out for just 53 runs in 16.3 overs.

Eleanor Larosa, Caoimhe Bray, and Tegan Williamson were the standout bowlers, each taking two wickets. Eleanor Larosa was named Player of the Match for her brilliant bowling performance, finishing with figures of 2/6.

Australia’s chase was swift and efficient. Despite a brief rain delay, they comfortably reached the target in 10.5 overs, with skipper Lucy Hamilton leading the way with 28 runs off 29 balls.

This victory brought Australia closer to a spot in the semifinals, while the West Indies find themselves in trouble, sitting at the bottom of Super Six Group 1.

New Zealand beat USA after getting bowled out for 97

New Zealand made a remarkable comeback as they successfully defended a measly total of 97 to beat USA by 18 runs in their Super 6 Group 2 match.

The slow bowlers, led by leg-spin talent Rishika Jaswal (2/14), pulled off the seemingly impossible task, grinding USA’s run chase to a halt and triggering a batting collapse.

After bowling out the Kiwis for 97, the United States were dismissed for 79.

USA’s superb effort in the field placed them in a prime position to start their Super Six campaign with a win.

New Zealand’s top order made it into the 30s without the loss of a wicket, but that’s when their fortunes shifted.

The first dismissal set off a run of five wickets for just 12 runs, including a marvellous in-swinging yorker from Lekha Shetty and a Ritu Singh off-breaker that turned sharply to bowl dangerous hitter Eve Wolland.

Singh shone with the ball, taking 5/15 from her four overs to edge Jaswal for Player of the Match honours.

Hannah Francis’ 25 off 33, along with Jaswal’s 17 off 27, ensured New Zealand had something to defend.

USA opener Disha Dhingra (30 off 24) had her team on track before Jaswal and Kate Irwin took over, finishing with two wickets each.

USA could not recover from those blows and ended 18 short of their target.

South Africa aim to continue flawless run

In a rain delayed contest which was reduced to 10 overs, South Africa bowled out Ireland for 35 before registering a seven-wicket victory in Sarawak.

Ireland won the toss and elected to bat, but South Africa instantly piled on the pressure by picking regular wickets and not letting any batter to settle.

Monalisa Legodi and Kayla Reyneke were the star bowlers for South Africa, picking four and three wickets respectively.

England, Nigeria match abandoned

Nigeria and England shared the points, after wet weather in Sarawak failed to ease and led the game being abandoned. 

England faced a shocking six-run (DLS method) defeat in the second T20I of the ongoing women’s Ashes against Australia on Thursday. With this win, Australia are 2-0 ahead in the three-match T20I series and have already won the Women’s Ashes. The match, which was curtailed by rain, saw a brilliant fighting knock from England skipper Heather Knight while chasing the revised target of 175. Knight scored 43* off 19 balls but her side still fell short by six runs, which forced the England skipper to give a controversial gesture.

In the last over of the match, England 22 off 6 balls to win. Knight hammered a boundary on the very first ball of the over of Annabel Sutherland and England were hopeful of a stunning win. However, fate had other plans in store as the rain got heavier and match had to be abruptly stopped.

With a score of 168/4 in 19.1 overs, England were six runs short of DLS par score. Resulting which, Australia were declared the winners. Knight, who was batting at 43*, could not believe this and threw her bat on the ground in anger.

Heather Knight throws her bat in frustration.

The DLS par score is 174. #CricketTwitter #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/5m609x1FL4

— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) January 23, 2025

Later, she picked up the bat and disappointingly walked back to the dugout.

After the game, Knight admitted that her reaction was an emotional one and the umpires made the right decision.

“It was right decision by the umpires. I was really in the zone to try and win us that game, and obviously frustrated that we were going off, but it wasn’t at the umpires at all. It was pretty wet, even when we were running it felt pretty slippy and it was quite hard to attack those twos. So yeah, it was the right decision, hundred per cent,” said Knight as quoted by News18.com.

“It was brilliant game of cricket. Felt like I could get us over the line. I felt really set, and I had some really good boundary options on a very good cricket wicket. It was an awesome crowd and they deserved a finish, and you could hear the frustration from the fans that that we were going off, and the game wasn’t able to reach its conclusion,” she added.

Following England losing the Women’s Ashes, former men’s captain Nasser Hussain has raised the question if the side has been making any improvement under skipper Heather Knight and head coach Jon Lewis. Hussain’s stern words come after Australia retained the Women’s Ashes with a win in the first T20I at the Sydney Cricket Ground and take an unassailable 8-0 lead in the multi-format series. Though there are four more games left, it looks unlikely that England will make a fightback to at least draw the series.

“The reaction and what has happened reminds me very much of when we were playing out there. I don’t think we were whitewashed – and this England women’s side haven’t been whitewashed, but they’ve lost their first four games.”

“The Ashes have gone; I lost them in 12 days, Heather Knight in nine days – albeit different formats. It must be hugely disappointing. Australia have shown their class. To put it in context, just how good Australia are as a cricketing nation, they haven’t lost an ODI series at home for 38 years!

“They’re one of the greatest sides there has ever been. But, instead of looking at the opposition, have a look at your own side. Are you improving under Knight and Jon Lewis? That’s the question that needs to be asked,” said Hussain on Sky Sports’ Cricket Podcast.

England last won the women’s Ashes 11 years ago, and last won a trophy under Heather’s captaincy when they clinched the 2017 ODI World Cup on home soil. Lewis, who took over as head coach in 2022, is yet to coach England to a big trophy.

After England suffered an early exit at last year’s T20 World Cup, former left-arm spinner Alex Hartley claimed that some players were “letting their team down” with their fitness levels. More recently, she claimed that spinner Sophie Ecclestone refused to speak to her for a TV interview. Hussain, though, chose to sympathise with Alex’s viewpoint.

“I thought what Alex Hartley said was pretty fair. It’s part of her job to call it as she sees it. And it’s part of you to react; I’ve been there, with three fingers held up to (Ian) Botham, (Bob) Willis and (Jonathan) Agnew. It’s also part of your responsibility to do the media.”

“But I’ve known the odd player in the men’s game actually who will ask the question, ‘who is doing the interview?’ She questioned the fitness and the fielding in particular. And obviously certain members of the team have reacted poorly to that. It’s been a disappointing couple of weeks,” he concluded.

Glimpse of the hot-air balloon of Women’s Ashes© X (Twitter)

Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur on Saturday backed the Indian women’s team to regain confidence in home conditions during the three-match T20I series against the West Indies, following a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign and a 0-3 defeat in Australia. Having failed to progress beyond the group stage in the T20 World Cup in October, India bounced back with a 2-1 ODI series win against New Zealand at home. However, their 0-3 loss in the ODI series in Australia has once again put the team under significant pressure.

“After the World Cup, we played against New Zealand, we did really well in the home conditions and Australia tour result was not something which we were expecting but lot of learnings for us,” Kaur told the media here before India’s training session ahead of the first T20I against the West Indies.

“In India, whenever we (have) played, we (have) played good cricket, the only (disappointing) thing was (the) World Cup and then the Australia tour which didn’t go according to our plans but apart from that, if I see in this year, we played really good cricket, we won lot of matches in home conditions.” “These things happen and as a team, it’s very important for us to stay together and think about all the positives we have done in the past,” she said.

Kaur said India’s bowling attack was relatively young in Australia and has learned valuable lessons from the experience. “Our bowling attack was quite young (in Australia) and for them, it was a great learning playing against such a good team where (they could) see how good players play and how they can improve,” she said.

Kaur, however, refused to comment on the exclusion of Shafali Verma for T20Is against West Indies despite the right-handed batter being second highest run-scorer this year.

“I would say, ask the right person. I can only talk about the team, (the) team is here and what (all) things we can do to win this series. Regarding Shefali or any other player, (it is) better to ask the right persons,” Kaur replied.

There was very little turnaround time after playing their final T20I in Perth on Wednesday and Kaur acknowledged the scheduling challenges.

“I am not the right person to answer that. You can definitely ask the right person,” she said when asked if the scheduling could’ve been better.

“To be honest, it is difficult because we are coming from Australia and after the game, only within 4-5 hours we left the country and came back to India ,” she said.

“But as a professional, these things happen and we just want to stay motivated and yesterday was a totally off day. We tried to rest well and tomorrow is another game, so looking forward for that.” Kaur said the team had “good talks” on the way back from Australia.

“When we were coming back from Australia, we had good talks in the flight because that was the only time when we can talk and think about how we can start this series. We discussed about how we have to go about in this particular series,” she said.

“When you have very less time, it’s very difficult to reflect on things which we have done in the past. Staying together is something which is very important and which we have been doing. Whatever (is) in our hands, we are doing that to turn things around.” Kaur backed Uttarakhand’s Nandini Kashyap and Raghvi Bisht, who received their maiden call-ups for this series, to come good.

“Both of them (have) done really well in the (Senior Women’s T20) Challenger Trophy and because of that they have got the opportunity. For them, it’s a great platform and I hope they will do really well for the team because if we see, we have very limited girls,” Kaur said.

“(It is) good to see them doing really well in the domestic format and hopefully, they will take the responsibility and start doing well for the country at (the) international level,” Kaur added.

Australia captain Alyssa Healy has confirmed she will play as a specialist batter in the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand, marking her return from a knee injury that prematurely ended her WBBL season. The star opener, who missed Australia’s 3-0 ODI series sweep over India, is on track to feature in the first game in New Zealand on December 19. However, Healy will not don the wicketkeeping gloves, as her left knee injury limits her ability to crouch for extended periods.

Beth Mooney will take over the wicketkeeping duties, with Healy focusing on contributing with the bat and fielding at first slip.

Speaking on the Willow Talk Podcast, Healy explained her decision. “I’m keen to play and I’ll be doing everything to get on the field, (but) I won’t be keeping. That’s where my knee’s at, and the problem is getting down into those positions,” she said.

The 34-year-old added that she’s excited to get back to action but acknowledged she might need to temper expectations about her fielding skills.

“I’m terrified by the prospect because I overrate my fielding. I think I’m really good, but I’m not. I’m not Beth Mooney, and I know that, so I’ve just got to put myself in not-hotspots,” Healy joked.

Despite her challenges, Healy expressed determination to play, particularly with limited opportunities for game time before the highly anticipated Ashes series, which begins next month in Sydney.

Healy’s absence as wicketkeeper during the India series allowed young talent Georgia Voll to shine. Voll scored a sensational century in the second ODI and paired well with Phoebe Litchfield at the top of the order. Although Voll suffered a minor knee injury in the third game, reports suggest she is fit and ready for the New Zealand series.

Australia’s incredible squad depth provides reassurance to Healy as she continues her recovery. “We’ve got incredible depth within our squad, so if something does go wrong and I need an extra day off, we’ve got the coverage there,” she said.

Reflecting on her recent string of injuries, including a tournament-ending foot issue during the T20 World Cup, Healy admitted there’s some stress about her body’s durability late in her career.

“I think there’s an element of stress to it, but at the same time I’m really blessed that I can play multiple roles for the side,” she said. “Later in my career, I want to still be playing as much cricket as I can. Unfortunately, my body is saying ‘no.'”

Smriti Mandhana scored her fourth ODI century of 2024 during India’s defeat to Australia at the WACA. This remarkable achievement set a new all-time record for the most centuries scored in a calendar year in women’s ODIs, according to Wisden. Mandhana’s innings came as India chased 299, a target set by Australia thanks to Annabel Sutherland’s 110 off 99 balls, with Ashleigh Gardner and Tahlia McGrath also contributing half-centuries. Despite losing her opening partner, Richa Ghosh, early–bowled by Megan Schutt–Mandhana stood out in an otherwise disappointing performance by the Indian batting lineup.

Following Harleen Deol’s dismissal for 39 by Alana King, Mandhana held the innings together as wickets fell rapidly around her. Harmanpreet Kaur managed only 12 runs off 22 balls before being dismissed, while Jemimah Rodrigues contributed 16. The lower order crumbled, with Deepti Sharma, Minnu Mani, and Saima Thakor all falling for single-digit scores.

Mandhana reached her half-century off 50 balls in the 14th over, at a time when India’s prospects seemed brighter with a run rate exceeding five an over and only one wicket down. She brought up her century by tucking a delivery from King to short fine leg, reaching the milestone in 103 balls. However, she was dismissed less than two overs later for 105, sparking India’s collapse.

This century marked Mandhana’s fourth of the year, following two consecutive centuries against South Africa in June and another against New Zealand in October. Her achievement of four centuries in a single calendar year sets a new record in women’s ODIs, surpassing the previous mark held by seven players who each scored three centuries in a year.

Mandhana’s latest century also elevated her position on the all-time century list in women’s ODIs, bringing her total to nine. She is now tied with Nat Sciver-Brunt, Chamari Athapaththu, and Charlotte Edwards in joint fourth place. Tammy Beaumont, with 10 ODI centuries, is Mandhana’s next target.

Mandhana’s exceptional form in 2024 underscores her status as one of the premier batters in women’s cricket, despite India’s struggles in the series against Australia.

Opener Smriti Mandhana’s elegant century went in vain as India lost to Australia by 83 runs in the third Women’s ODI to suffer a 0-3 series whitewash here on Wednesday. Opting to field after winning the toss, India had Australia on the ropes at 78 for four before middle-order batter Annabel Sutherland’s scintillating 95-ball 110, and brisk half centuries from Ashleigh Gardner (50) and skipper Tahlia McGrath (56 not out), lifted the hosts to a competitive 298 for six in the allotted 50 overs at WACA.

In reply, India were bowled out for 215 in 45.1 overs.

In pursuit of a stiff target of 299, the stylish Mandhana anchored the innings beautifully during her 105 off 109 balls and as long as the southpaw was at the crease, the visitors were in with a chance.

However, her dismissal at a crucial juncture put paid to India’s hopes of earning a consolation win.

The problem with the Indian innings was that the senior batter lacked support from the others after Alana King ended a 118-run partnership between Mandhana and Harleen Deol (39 off 64 balls) by dismissing the latter.

During her stay in the middle, Mandhana found the fence 14 times and cleared it once, leading the team’s recovery after the swashbuckling Richa Ghosh’s (2) early departure.

Spin bowling all-rounder Gardner completed a fine match by taking five wickets for 30 runs after her contribution with the willow.

Besides Ghosh, captain Harmanpreet Kaur (12 off 22 balls) and Jemimah Rodrigues (16 off 11 balls) failed with the bat, and it did not help India’s cause.

Senior all-rounder Deepti Sharma too flopped, getting out for a duck.

Earlier, Australia survived a stellar spell from India pacer Arundhati Reddy to post a challenging total in the final match of what has been a one-side series dominated thoroughly by the formidable home team.

Sutherland led Australia’s recovery after Reddy struck four times in quick succession for career-best figures in limited-overs cricket.

Having already lost the series, India opted to bowl at the iconic WACA ground but did not get the required breakthroughs in the first powerplay with Phoebe Litchfield (25 off 33) and Georgia Voll (26 off 30) going strong.

However, Reddy, playing only her fifth ODI, changed the course of the game in one over by removing the openers in a space of four balls.

Unlike Renuka Thakur and Saima Thakor, Reddy got the ball to swing back from a fuller length which led to the fall of last match’s centurion Voll, who saw her stumps disturbed.

Left-handed Litchfield was caught behind chasing an away swinger and all the momentum gained by Australia was suddenly lost.

Next to depart was star all-rounder Elysse Perry who had no answer to a beauty from Reddy that held its line to hit the top of off-stump. When Beth Mooney departed, Australia were reduced to 78 for four from 58 for no loss.

Sutherland and Gardner then showed the enviable depth of the Australian batting by sharing a 96-run stand for the fifth wicket. Sutherland was the aggressor in the partnership and especially pounded the spinners, smashing two fours and a six off Deepti in the 40th over.

India’s catching left a lot to be desired as they grassed three tough chances.

McGrath joined Sutherland in the 35th over and the duo pushed the score towards 300. Suterland got to her hundred by dispatching Deepti for a six over mid-wicket in the final over of the innings.