Alana King five-for completes Ashes whitewash as Australia crush England

Australia have crushed England by an innings and 122 runs in the first women’s Test at MCG in 76 years, securing a historic Ashes whitewash.

Led by towering centuries from Annabel Sutherland (163) and Beth Mooney (106), as well as Alana King (4-45 and 5-53) and Ashleigh Gardner’s (1-30 and 4-38) spin dominance, Australia completely embarrassed their rivals in the pink-ball Test.

England were, at times, competitive in the white-ball games, despite losing the ODI and T20 series 3-0 each.

But after capitulating in the final T20 in Adelaide, England carried that form to Melbourne where they were annihilated in ruthless fashion, bowled out for 170 and 148, by all-conquering Australia to end a disastrous tour 0-7.

Australia completed the first 16-0 points whitewash since the multi-format series was introduced for the women’s Ashes in 2013.

Even when the women’s Ashes didn’t include ODIs and T20s, neither Australia nor England ever managed a clean-sweep in a series of three or more matches.

England, the world’s No.2-ranked country in ODIs and T20s, have not won a game in Australia since 2017-18 after two no results and a draw made up the last series in 2021-22.

Australia torched their opponents, even with star veteran Ellyse Perry sidelined for most of the Test with a hip injury.

Sutherland confirmed herself as Australian cricket’s next superstar by hitting a record-equalling third Test century.

She was promoted to No.3 in place of Perry, becoming the first woman to make a Test century on the MCG.

Mooney joined Sutherland on the MCG honour board less than 24 hours later, posting her first Test hundred.

The 31-year-old was left stranded on 98 not out at stumps on Friday night, but after five nervous balls to start day three, she reached her milestone.

King and Gardner combined for nine of the second-innings wickets, bowling in tandem for 48 overs unchanged to end the match.

King weaved her magic in front of the Shane Warne Stand at the MCG, breaking England’s mini resistance from veteran opener Tammy Beaumont (47) and captain Heather Knight (32).

England lost 8-38 to finish the match after they were a respectable 2-100.

King’s dismissal of Sophia Dunkley was a classic legspinner’s wicket, sharply turning from leg stump to crash into off stump.

Speaking after play on day one, King hoped the late Warne would have enjoyed legspin bowling again being on show in a Test at MCG.

There is no doubt the legendary spin king would have loved her wicket of Dunkley.

Mooney is just the fourth woman to post a ton in Tests, ODIs and T20s, after England pair Knight and Beaumont, and South Africa star Laura Wolvaardt.

The left-hander has scored three ODI centuries and two in T20s.

Spinner Sophie Ecclestone (5-143) claimed three of the five Australian wickets to fall on Saturday, putting a nightmare day two behind her.

Quicks Lauren Filer and Lauren Bell each finished with two wickets.