Australia v England women’s Ashes Test: Fielding woes haunt England as Annabel Sutherland leads charge

Just when you thought England’s Ashes series couldn’t get any worse, it produced a shambolic fielding display as its woes were slammed as being “like quicksand”.

A demoralised England is staring at an almost-certain Ashes whitewash after a disastrous fielding display helped gift Australia a commanding first-innings lead.

History-maker Annabel Sutherland was dropped early on the second day at the MCG, making England pay as she became the first woman to make a Test century on her home ground.

England shelled three chances to remove Beth Mooney before she reached 20, while four other opportunities were grassed on a day which compounded the woes of Heather Knight’s side.

“It just must feel with England out there at the moment it’s like quicksand,” Brad Haddin said during day two.

“This is where you need your senior players to stand up and just try to create a bit of enjoyment.

“Everyone out in the field at the moment is thinking (they) don’t want the ball to go to them. You have got to find a way to get some enjoyment out of what you are doing.”

Mel Jones said the English side looked mentally fatigued after a series in which they have suffered six successive defeats.

The shambolic catching led former men’s captain Michael Vaughan to suggest the English women’s side attend his fielding academy.

“I am inviting all the England women’s team to join my fielding academy. it’s the only way to solve this dropping problem,” Vaughan tweeted.

I am inviting all the England women’s team to join my fielding academy .. it’s the only way to solve this dropping problem .. #OnOn

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) January 31, 2025

Former Australian vice-captain Rachael Haynes turned the blowtorch on England’s leaders to lift their side out of its malaise.

“The irony for England is they started today wanting to create those opportunities and just try and make some inroads into this Australian batting order. They have certainly done that,” Haynes said.

“There’s been plenty of chances along the way. They just haven’t been able to capitalise. It’s allowed the Australian batters to spend some time together at the crease.”

Originally published as Australia v England women’s Ashes Test: Fielding woes haunt England as Annabel Sutherland leads charge