Aussie ace sets sights on women’s Test history at MCG

Australia star Annabel Sutherland is riding her luck at the MCG to give herself a chance of posting a record-equalling third Test century.

After being dropped twice during the first session of day two, Sutherland made it to the tea break unbeaten on 71 as Australia moved to 2-154 in the sole day-night Test.

Australia trail by just 16 after Alana King’s spin masterclass helped bowl hapless England out for 170 on Thursday when captain Alyssa Healy won the toss and elected to field first.

Healy (23 no), who is showing no signs of a foot issue that led to her missing the T20 series, will resume with Sutherland after the break.

In just her sixth match, Sutherland will equal Betty Wilson and Jill Kennare for the most women’s Test centuries by an Australian if she can post the third of her career.

Five women have scored four Test centuries, while England great Janette Brittin stands alone with five.

Sutherland, who hit her previous two Test centuries lower down the order, was promoted to No.3 after star veteran Ellyse Perry hurt her hip while fielding on Thursday.

But after being assessed overnight, Perry has been declared available to bat during this innings if Australia require her.

Australia continue to pile misery on England, who are staring at being whitewashed for the first time since the women’s Ashes changed to a multi-format series in 2013.

Beaten 3-0 across the ODI and T20 series, England’s performance has been arguably less competitive than in the shorter formats.

Australia began day two on 1-56, losing just Phoebe Litchfield (45) during the first session.

Quick Lauren Bell (2-30) has taken England’s only wickets of the innings, with star spinner Sophie Ecclestone unlucky not to have dismissed Sutherland twice when the Australian was put down by Danni Wyatt-Hodge and keeper Amy Jones.