Healy out for 99 as Australia build commanding lead over South Africa

Australian captain Alyssa Healy has fallen one run short of a century as Australia built a commanding lead against South Africa in their one-off Test in Perth.

After losing the toss and being sent in to bat, South Africa were skittled for a record-low 76 in 31.2 overs after emerging pace star Darcie Brown ran rampant at the WACA on Thursday.

Alyssa Healy on her way to 99 against South Africa at the WACA.Credit: Getty Images

In reply, Australia crashed to 3-12 before Healy (99 off 124 balls) and Beth Mooney (78 off 109 balls) came to the rescue.

Australia went to stumps on day one at 5-251 – an overall lead of 175 – with Annabel Sutherland (54no) and Ashleigh Gardner (0no) at the crease.

South Africa, playing just their second Test since 2014, were dealt a devastating blow before play when star allrounder Marizanne Kapp was ruled out with illness.

Brown (5-21) and Annabel Sutherland (3-19) snared career-best figures in the 42-degree Perth heat to dismiss South Africa for 76 in 31.2 overs.

It marked South Africa’s lowest score in women’s Test cricket, failing to better the 89 they posted against New Zealand in Durban in 1972.

Brown claimed the final wicket of the innings just 10 minutes after lunch on day one, ripping one into the leg stump of Ayanda Hlubi.

The 20-year-old Australian, who had claimed just three wickets across her three Tests leading into this week’s match, raised the ball in the air to acknowledge the crowd as she walked off the field.

South Africa pace bowler Masabata Klaas (3-39) snared the key scalps of Phoebe Litchfield (4), Ellyse Perry (3) and Tahlia McGrath (0) in quick succession as Australia crashed to 3-12.

Australia’s Darcie Brown celebrates after taking 5-21 on day one of the Test against South Africa.Credit: Getty

But a 155-run partnership between Healy and Mooney effectively put the contest to bed, with South Africa now requiring a near miracle to snare the win they need to draw the multi-format series.

Healy was on track to post her maiden Test ton, which would have given her an international century in all three formats of the game.

But just four minutes before stumps, Healy’s attempt to nudge a single down the leg side to bring up triple figures instead gave Delmi Tucker a return catch.

Healy was in disbelief as she trudged off, her 200-minute innings ending in heartbreak.

Alyssa Healy steadies Australia’s innings after the fall of some cheap early wickets.Credit: Getty

The sick Kapp had played a key role in helping South Africa nab a win in both the ODI and T20 format against Australia during the current multi-format series.

Although Australia won both the T20 and ODI components 2-1, it was hoped a Kapp-inspired South Africa would provide a stern challenge in the four-day Test.

It wasn’t to be. Healy and Mooney both dropped catches in the opening few overs, but it didn’t cost Australia any runs as Brown removed South Africa’s openers Laura Wolvaardt and Anneke Bosch cheaply. Brown had figures of 2-1 at that stage, with South Africa in early trouble at 2-5.

Tazmin Brits (five off 48 balls) helped stem the tide with a painfully slow innings, with Sune Luus (26) also helping launch a mini-recovery.

But two wickets in as many balls from Sutherland sparked a collapse of 6-17 as the visitors slumped from 2-33 to 8-50, vindicating Australia’s decision to bowl first on the green-tinged wicket.

Australia only need to draw the Test to win the multi-format series, while South Africa need to win to draw the series.

AAP

Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.