England crucified over 'atrocious' scenes as Australia celebrates staggering Ashes history

A masterclass from Annabel Sutherland capped off a history-making day in women's cricket.

Australia is closing in on an unprecedented women's Ashes clean sweep after a history-making century from Annabel Sutherland and some dreadful fielding from England on day two at the MCG. England's already disastrous tour completely spiralled out of control on the second day of the historic day-night cricket Test at the MCG, as the Aussies punished a staggering eight dropped catches from the visitors.

Victorian star Sutherland became the first woman in history to score a Test century at the MCG after a masterful 163 powered Australia to 5-422 at stumps, opening up a 252-run first-innings lead. Beth Mooney will resume day two on 98 not out and will be hoping to become Australia's second centurion for the match on Saturday as the hosts look to cement an unprecedented whitewash in the multi-format series.

Annabel Sutherland scored a historic century at the MCG after some dreadful fielding from England in the women's Ashes Test. Pic: Getty/Seven
Annabel Sutherland scored a historic century at the MCG after some dreadful fielding from England in the women's Ashes Test. Pic: Getty/Seven

England only have themselves to blame for the sorry position they're in after gifting Australia a mountain of runs from a fielding display described by critics as the worst ever seen in an international series in Australia. Sutherland was dropped twice early in her innings with England putting the first chance down when the Aussie star was on 29.

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That blunder cost the English side a staggering 134 more runs off Sutherland's bat alone, but that didn't even begin to tell the whole story. England's Maia Bouchier also put down a sitter that would have removed Mooney for 18 when the Aussie batter hit a Ryana MacDonald-Gay delivery straight to gully.

"It went in, it went out, and I don't know what's on that ball, but I think it might be butter," commentator Isabelle Westbury said on Fox Cricket about the squandered chance. Mooney would go on to add another 80 runs, meaning that two of England's dropped catches cost the side 214 runs off two of Australia's batters.

All up, the sloppy tourists dropped an astonishing eight catches, as well as butchering a stumping opportunity and being generally sub-standard in the field. Sutherland admitted after her historic century that England's fielding issues stood out across the series, as the tourists were crucified by fans on social media for one of the worst displays in memory. "Probably showed signs of it throughout the series, potentially a little bit tired at different points today," Sutherland said about England's fielding woes. "You expect high quality, but having said that we dropped a few, too."

It was a historic day for Australia in more ways than one, with Sutherland's landmark century - her third in just six matches - undoubtedly the highlight. Sutherland has already equalled the most Test centuries by an Australian woman after just six matches and Cricket Australia was also celebrating more history after the Test set a new attendance record for women's cricket.

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CA revealed that 11,918 fans attended day two at the MCG, taking the overall figure to 23,561 after the first two days of the day-night Test. The previous record crowd for a women's Test was the 23,207 who attended Trent Bridge over five days in the 2023 Ashes series, and there are potentially two days left for the MCG record to grow even bigger.

Sutherland's historic ton came after she was promoted up the order to bat at No.3 following a freak hip injury to Ellyse Perry on day one, and the 23-year-old took the opportunity with both hands. Sutherland will surely be in strong contention to keep the spot higher up the order after joining Betty Wilson and Jill Kennare as the only Australian women to have scored three Test centuries.

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"I said 'yes' pretty quickly, before 'Shell' (Australia coach Shelley Nitschke) could even ask the question," the 23-year-old said about moving up the order to hit her epic 163. "I thought England bowled pretty well in that first session (on Friday) so it was nice to get through that. Wherever you can get an opportunity to bat, I'll take it."

Seen here, Annabel Sutherland celebrates  a Test ton at the MCG.
Annabel Sutherland celebrates after becoming the first woman to score a Test ton at the MCG. Pic: Getty

The proud Victorian said it was extra special to become the first woman to score a ton at her iconic MCG home ground. "The occasion, the venue, the amount of time I've spent at the 'G as a young kid ... I just love the venue and what it means as a Victorian," she said. "At different phases, concentration wavers a bit, but what brings me back always is what's best for the team. That's where my head goes, rather than any of the individual stuff."

with AAP