Annabel Sutherland slammed England with a historic Ashes century at the MCG

Annabel Sutherland’s record-shaping century at the MCG has put Australia on the cusp of an Ashes clean sweep.

The meteoric rise of Annabel Sutherland reached new heights on day two of the Ashes Test match as she led Australia’s landmark demolition of England.

Sutherland, starting the day 24 not out, plundered the English to all parts of the MCG on her way to 163 off 258 balls.

Sutherland’s 14th boundary, a precise cut shot, took her to three figures and into history books as the first female to score a Test century at the MCG.

It’s a list Sutherland will likely stand alone on for all but one day, with the ever-reliable Beth Mooney unbeaten on 98 overnight.

11,918 fans watched Sutherland share a 154-run stand with Mooney who also altered record books.

The left-hander overtook champion Karen Rolton as Australia’s fourth-highest female international run-scorer.

Australia went into stumps 5-422 with a lead of 252.

Sutherland, the first Victorian to score a Test ton at the MCG since Graham Yallop in 1983, told Fox Cricket she grew up dreaming of taking centre stage at the iconic venue.

“It’s a pretty special place, especially as a Victorian,” she said.

“(I’m) stoked I could spend a bit of time out there and we’re in a really good position which is nice.

“Growing up there was no better place to be and spend time than at the ‘G, watching the cricket, watching the footy – a few Grand Finals as a Cats fan which is cool.

“To be out there in the middle, it’s such a cool occasion for the whole group.”

Annabel Sutherland and Beth Mooney shared a 154-run stand. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

The Aussies dismantled England without the involvement of Ellyse Perry.

Cricket Australia said Perry, who left the field with a hip injury on day one, was fit to bat if required.

But captain Alyssa Healy remained unsure how involved Perry would be and said her fitness could determine Australia’s potential declaration.

“To be completely honest we’re still a little unsure about Pez as well, what that does to our batting line-up we’re not sure,” she said on Fox Cricket.

“I think today we’ll just look to solidify what we’re doing and then probably assess as we go throughout the day as to if we do have a cheeky little bowl tonight.

“But I dare say we’ll try and get as far in front as what we possibly can.”

A COMPLETE HORROR SHOW

Annabel Sutherland and Beth Mooney’s big scores were heavily aided by England’s awful fielding.

The English dropped nine catches while wicketkeeper Amy Jones also missed a stumping.

Sutherland was dropped twice, as well as the stumping, and Mooney was dropped three times all before she reached 19.

Former England captain Alex Hartley told TNT Cricket she thought it was the English’s worst fielding performance of the series.

“I think England’s fielding has been under the pump throughout this Ashes series and in Test cricket it shows you’ve got to be switched on every single ball,” she said.

“You have to be able to switch on and off when appropriate. A couple of really easy chances for England there and they just weren’t able to take them.

“Annabel Sutherland averages 418 when she gets past 28 and she’s made England pay for those dropped catches.”

Beth Mooney will start day three on 98 not out. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

HEALY’S CONTROVERSIAL DISMISSAL

Alyssa Healy’s LBW dismissal came with a shade of controversy.

Healy, who made 34, reviewed the on-field decision immediately after being given out.

The ball was extremely close to the bat, almost wedged perfectly between bat and pad.

The third umpire rocked and rolled the vision for several minutes before backing the original decision.

Former Australian cricketer Alex Blackwell conceded it was a difficult call for the umpire but said she saw movement from bat to pad.

“It just looks to me there’s small deviation into toward the pad,” Blackwell said on Fox Cricket.

“Even on the replay you can see a small deviation. It is a tough one for the umpire.

“What we heard there, he felt there wasn’t conclusive evidence to say it was definitely bat before pad.”