Annabel Sutherland cracks double-ton in women's WACA Test against South Africa a day after Alyssa Healy’s heartbreaking 99

Allrounder Annabel Sutherland has struck an unbeaten double-century as Australia continued to pound South Africa in a one-sided women’s Test at the WACA Ground.

Australia went to tea on day two at 7-521 - an overall lead of 445 - with Sutherland (202 not out) the star of the show.

Ashleigh Gardner (65) and the returning Sophie Molineux (33) were the only wickets to fall across the first two sessions, with Australia in an unlosable position with seven more sessions still remaining in the match.

Sutherland eventually fell for 210 before Australia declared at 9-575 leaving South Africa a daunting 499 runs to make jsut to make Australia bat again which seems highly unlikely. Their second innings got off to a disastrous start with Aneeke Bosch out for a duck.

Sutherland’s mammoth score is the eighth highest in women’s Test cricket.

Pakistan’s Kiran Baluch holds the record for her 242 against West Indies in 2024.

Ellyse Perry holds the Australian record for her unbeaten 213 against England in 2017.

Sutherland became the fifth Australian to post a women’s Test double century.

The 22-year-old started play on Friday on 54, and she was rarely troubled as she made her way to triple figures.

It marked the second time she has scored a Test century, following on from her unbeaten 137 against England in 2022.

It was also the highest score in a women’s Test at the WACA, beating the 112 posted by England’s Janette Brittin in 1984.

Sutherland’s heroics with the bat came just a day after she took 3-19 with the ball as the Proteas were skittled for 76.

She continued to smack South Africa’s attack to all parts of the ground as she reached 150.

Then with tea approaching Sutherland went into overdrive, unleashing a glorious lofted drive down the ground to bring up her 200.

Sutherland has struck 26 fours and two sixes in her dazzling knock.

Gardner also cashed in before being trapped lbw by Nadine de Klerk midway through day two.

Molineux was bowled by spinner Chloe Tryon after shouldering arms.

Sutherland’s double-century joy was in complete contrast to Alyssa Healy’s heartbreak late on Thursday.

With just four minutes remaining in the day, the Australia skipper was caught and bowled for 99, crushing her hopes of becoming the first woman to post an international hundred in all three formats.

She and Mitchell Starc are the power couple of Australian cricket, and they can now lay claim to a new moniker - Mr and Mrs 99.

Only 12 cricketers have recorded a highest Test score one short of a century

Two of them happen to be married - Australia’s women’s captain Healy and men’s pace star Starc.

Healy appeared destined to become the first woman to score an international ton in all three formats when she raced into the 90s in the Test against South Africa at the WACA Ground on Thursday.

“I sat in the showers for 15 minutes after getting out,” Healy said.

“I don’t really play for personal milestones but we don’t play Test cricket that much. So it stings a little bit. Mitch said, ‘If there’s one thing in our cricket careers I can relate to, it’s getting out for 99’.”

“What a unique sport we play. And what a unique relationship we have that we can have these weird moments.

“But at least we can share that one for the rest of our lives.”

As for being the only couple with a highest Test score of 99?

“It is a bizarre thing, I wish it wasn’t us,” Healy told Channel 7.

“I wish it was another married couple, but that’s OK.”

Australia only need to draw the Test match to win the multi-format series against South Africa.