Australia’s Annabel Sutherland makes cricket history with ‘brilliant’ Ashes century

Australia’s Annabel Sutherland has made cricket history with a superb innings in the women’s Ashes that rewrote the record books.

Australia’s Annabel Sutherland has made cricketing history, scoring a sensational maiden Test century on Day 2 of the women’s Ashes Test against England.

Sutherland resumed on 39 not out but surged to triple figures in the first session at Trent Bridge to bring up her century and head to lunch unbeaten on 116.

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The all-rounder is a very capable batter but came in at No. 8 before going on to make her maiden Test ton off 148 balls.

Sutherland’s century was the fastest Australian’s women’s Test century, knocking off Jill Kennare’s 156-ball ton in 1984.

It’s no mean feat for a No. 8 to score a Test century, but the 21-year-old did it with ease.

Only eight times has an Australian No. 8 reached triple figures, most recently when fast bowler Mitchell Johnson notched up his only Test century in 2009 in South Africa.

Annabel Sutherland celebrates her century in the Ashes. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

What a knock from No. 8. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Aussie cricket fans were seriously impressed by Sutherland’s knock and predicted it will only be a matter of time before she is batting higher up the order.

The Age’s Dan Brettig tweeted: “Fabulous century by Annabel Sutherland, guiding Aust past 400. Embarrassment of riches to have her batting at No. 8.”

Former Australian captain Mel Jones said: “Like (current Australian coach) Shelley Nitschke, will start at #8 but will quickly find herself well up the order.

“Annabel Sutherland with the fastest hundred (where balls known) by an Australian women in test match cricket to bring up her maiden 100. All class Bellsy.”

Test tons for AUS batting 8 or lower
George Bonnor
Reggie Duff
Clem Hill
Roger Hartigan
Jack Gregory
Johnny Taylor
Ray Lindwall
Richie Benaud
Gary Gilmour
Karen Price
Wayne Phillips
Adam Gilchrist
Mitchell Johnson
ANNABEL SUTHERLAND

@AusWomenCricket#ENGvAUS#Ashes

— Swamp (@sirswampthing) June 23, 2023

What an innings from Annabel Sutherland!! 💯

Has gone from a high score of 8 to a maiden Test century.

She has always had brilliant technique and it was on show at Trent Bridge 👏#Ashespic.twitter.com/sYciq1KPTQ

— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) June 23, 2023

Annabel Sutherland now has the highest score by a No. 8-11 batter in women’s Test history.#Ashes

— Nic Savage (@nic_savage1) June 23, 2023

Absolutely superb by Annabel Sutherland. Best exhibition of driving by an Aussie since Ricciardo left Red Bull.#Ashes

— Richard Hinds (@rdhinds) June 23, 2023

“It was pretty fun out there,” Sutherland told Sky Sports.

“I absolutely love my batting so just really cool to spend some time out there.”

Asked if she’d lke to bat up the order, she said: “I hope so. I’ve been telling the coach that for a little while but I’m just happy playing my part in this team.

“We’ve got a pretty strong top order and it’s pretty hard to slot in. Nice to take an opportunity when I get the chance down at 8.”

Australia’s all-conquering women’s team play Tests very infrequently, but Sutherland’s century was the first by an Aussie since Ellyse Perry’s ton against England in 2019.

Perry fell agonisingly short of her third Test century on Day 1 when she was dismissed for 99.

Australia resumed at 7/327 and were 8/439 at lunch on Day 2 as the Aussies compiled an imposing first innings total.

Originally published as Australia’s Annabel Sutherland makes cricket history with ‘brilliant’ Ashes century