Nottingham [UK], June 23 : Annabel Sutherland's maiden Test ton put Australia in the driver's seat on the second day of the one-off Test match in the Ashes 2023 series against England at Trent Bridge.
At the end of their first innings on the second day, Australia registered a score of 439/8 in 115 overs with Annabel Sutherland and Kim Garth unbeaten at the crease on their individual scores of 14(56)* and 116(160)* respectively.
Annabel Sutherland and Alana King continued their partnership keeping Australia's hopes of making past the 400-run mark alive. Both batters managed to keep the seventh wicket partnership alive till the 98th over.
Lauren Bell got the breakthrough with a beautiful delivery, a full outside off delivery swung back into the right-handed King, going straight through the gap to hit the top of the off-stump. This wicket marked the end of a 47-run partnership with King departing for a score of 21(46).
Sutherland and Kim Garth took the charge against the English bowlers as their innings stood on the verge of coming to an end.
The roles of both batters were quite evident, Garth held on to the other end playing the anchor role while Sutherland went on a scoring spree.
Sutherland went on to score her maiden Test ton with a four. She raised her bat and helmet in the air and was met with a good round of applause from the crowd.
After Sutherland completer her century Garth joined the party as she smacked a four with a sweep shot to send the ball through square leg.
Garth's intensity to rotate the strike rose with each passing over. Both batters managed to hang on to their wickets till the final over before lunch.
Australia ended the session with a score of 439/8.
The duo came back on the pitch and managed to hold onto their 75-run partnership till the 121st over.
Ecclestone got the crucial breakthrough as she dismissed Garth for an LBW. The ball went on to hit her on the back leg, she reviewed the on-field decision with hopes of surviving, but the screen showed three reds which meant Kim Garth had to depart for a score of 22(76).
Two overs later Ecclestone completed her maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket as Darcie Brown tried to punch the ball straight into the hands of the bowler. This marked the end of Australia's innings for a score of 473.
Brief Scores: Australia 473 (Annabel Sutherland 137(184)*; Ellyse Perry 99(153) and Sophie Ecclestone 5/129) vs England.
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