Australia’s Day:

(You reckon?)

Reworded: Tazmin Brits successfully defends against an over of King’s skillful leg spin during the sunset, allowing the visitors to end the day. South Africa showed determination in the final moments, but it was undeniably Australia and Annabel Sutherland’s day.

In the 27th over, South Africa’s score is 66-3 with Tucker and Brits scoring 26 and 18 respectively. The duo has achieved a fifty partnership and both have played well. They are making Australia work hard, as expected in a Test match. We’ll fit in one more over!

The 26th over sees South Africa at 60-3 with Tucker scoring 25 and Brits at 12. Brits manages to clip King for two runs. As the sun sets rapidly, there is only one more over left in the day. Ash Gardner is set to bowl it.

In the 25th over, South Africa’s score is 57-3 with Tucker scoring 25 and Brits scoring 10. Ash Gardner takes over the attack and the over results in 12 runs. Tucker hits a drag down for four and expertly guides a leg side ball past Healy for another four. There are also four byes as a leg side ball spins quickly and evades everything, including Alyssa Healy.

In the 24th over, South Africa’s score is 45-3 with Tucker scoring 17 and Brits scoring 10. Alana King bowls a delivery with impressive spin, making it difficult for Brits to score. There is a close call as King’s delivery almost gets Brits out, but miraculously misses the stumps, pads, and edge.

The 23rd over concludes with South Africa at 43-3, with Tucker scoring 17 and Brits scoring 10. Will there be any last-minute excitement in Perth? Not in this over, as Perry throws a short ball outside the off-stump.

In the 22nd over, South Africa has scored 42 runs for the loss of 3 wickets (Tucker 17, Brits 10). Alana King is the bowler, with a slip, short cover, and short leg fielders in place. She starts off with some spin and is accurate from the beginning, reminiscent of Warne. The over ends with no runs scored.

In the 21st over of the match, South Africa has scored 42 runs with 3 wickets down. Tucker is at 17 runs and Brits is at 10. Alana King is preparing to bowl, while Perry continues her spell in the evening sun. The pitch still has some liveliness as a well-pitched ball bounces and catches Tucker by surprise, passing her bat at the last moment.

In the 20th over, South Africa’s score is 39 for 3 with Tucker scoring 17 runs and Brits scoring 9 runs. Brits gets a single by hitting McGrath’s delivery off her pads. Not much else happens as the day is coming to an end and it has been a historic one. Healy may bring in Garth for a quick spell or perhaps King will try some spin before the match ends.

In the 19th over, South Africa’s score is 38-3 with Tucker scoring 17 and Brits scoring 8. Perry delivers a maiden over with six dots, leaving eight overs remaining in the day. South Africa is currently behind by 461 runs. This game is all about numbers.

In the 18th over, South Africa’s score is 38-3 with Tucker and Brits at the crease. Tucker manages to hit a four off McGrath on the off side, as the shadows start to stretch across the field. With about thirty minutes left until the end of the day’s play, it would be significant if South Africa could avoid losing any more wickets.

In the 17th over, South Africa is at 33 runs for the loss of 3 wickets (Tucker scoring 12 and Brits scoring 8). Perry almost manages to dismiss Brits with a skillful delivery that moves away at the last moment. South Africa is managing to hold on until the end of the session. I notice Smyth, a powerful presence on the India vs England live commentary, referencing a song in relation to Ollie Pope’s nervy beginnings. The same can be said for South Africa at the WACA.

“Come on, come on, come on – push through it.”

My spouse and I (along with a group of intoxicated individuals) enthusiastically sang this song at the conclusion of our wedding celebration. “Love is the most wonderful thing.” Since my spouse will not be reading this, I can share the sentimental moment between just the two of us.

In the 16th over, South Africa’s score is 32-3 with Tucker scoring 11 runs and Brits scoring 8 runs. Tahlia McGrath has come into the attack and her first ball is a terrible full toss that almost results in a wicket. However, Tucker hits the ball in the air but it falls short of Darcie Brown at mid off. The next five balls are dot balls. Let’s just forget about that over. This post will automatically delete in 5, 4, 3, 2…

In the 15th over, South Africa’s score is 31-3 with Tucker at 10 runs and Brits at 8 runs. Perry resumes bowling after the drinks break. Tucker scores a single on the leg side and Brits hits a drive through mid on for two runs.

Meanwhile…

In the 14th over, South Africa is at 28-3 with Tucker scoring 9 and Brits scoring 6. Brits expertly drives the ball through cover for four after being hit in the ribs by Brown. It’s time for a break. With less than an hour left in the day, how much can Australia harm South Africa before the end?

In the meantime, this brought a smile to my face. I thought it to myself, I am not crazy.

In the 13th over, South Africa’s score is 24-3, with Tucker and Brits at the crease. Tucker makes a smooth drive for a couple of runs off Perry, but then Perry’s experience shines through as she bowls five consecutive dot balls with ease. She is challenging Tucker’s technique by forcing her to play each delivery.

In the 12th over, South Africa has a score of 21-3 with Tucker at 7 and Brits at 2. Brown’s delivery is precise, hitting the target with accuracy and putting pressure on the batsmen. Ellyse Perry is now coming in for a bowling substitution.

Garth bowls the 11th over with South Africa at 21-3. Tucker and Brits are the current batters, with Tucker at 6 runs and Brits at 2. Brits shows restraint and defends four deliveries. She then scores a single with a gentle shot to cover, and Tucker follows suit with a hit to midwicket.

The score is currently 19-3 in the 10th over for South Africa, with Tucker and Brits at the crease. There was a close call for Australia as a thick edge from Tucker narrowly missed being caught by Molineux and Mooney, who were too busy gazing at each other like in “Lady and the Tramp” to make the catch.

In the 9th over, South Africa has a score of 15-3 with Tucker and Brits at the crease. Garth is bowling well and testing the skills and determination of the two fresh batsmen. There are still many overs to be played, so it remains to be seen if Australia can wrap up the match today or not.

A flawless seed/jaffa/peach from Brown. The slimmest of margins and Healy takes care of the rest. Australia are dominating.

In the 8th over, South Africa’s score is 13-3 with Tucker and Brits at the crease, both yet to score.

In the seventh over, South Africa has a score of 9 runs for the loss of 2 wickets, with Wolvaardt scoring 4 runs and Brits yet to make any. Brits is now batting alongside her captain. Australia sees an opportunity to take control of the game.

Garth’s delivery caused Luus to attempt a loose drive, resulting in a safe catch by Lichfield at first slip.

In the sixth over, South Africa’s score is 8-1 with Wolvaardt at 4 runs and Luus at 5 runs. Luus narrowly avoids being caught out with a leading edge that falls just short of mid on. The team is holding on against Garth and Brown’s impressive fast bowling.

In the fifth over, South Africa’s score is 8-1 with Wolvaardt and Luus both scoring 4 runs each. There was a drop by Garth, as she moved the ball late and caused Wolfy to edge, but Molineux missed the catch at third slip. Garth showed frustration and returned to her mark. She has been bowling exceptionally well. It’s probably best not to make eye contact with Sophie.

In the fourth over, South Africa’s score is 7-1 with Wolvaardt at 4 and Luus at 3. Brown delivers a full ball at the stumps. Both batters take a single to add to the score, but their main goal is to stay in and survive at this point.

In the third over, South Africa’s score is 5-1 with Wolvaardt scoring 3 runs and Luus scoring 2. I am amazed that Kim Garth did not take a wicket in that over. She seemed to have beaten the bat four times, with three of the deliveries just narrowly missing the stumps. It’s hard to believe.

In the second over, South Africa’s score is 3-1 with Wolvaardt at 3 runs and Luus at 0. Darcie Brown and Garth are bowling together with the new ball. Brown gets some movement right away as she runs in from the Lillee-Marsh Stand end. She manages to beat Wolvaardt on the outside edge and almost takes a wicket. Wolvaardt guides a full ball for two runs. South Africa must display determination and make Australia put in effort to win.

You were aware of it. Bosch scores a pair in Test cricket. A strong hit to a ball that swung away from the offside and a quick catch taken at slip. A fierce sport.

In the first over, South Africa has scored 1 run with 1 wicket down. The runs were made by Wolvaardt with 1 run and Luus.

Kim Garth is now in possession of the ball, her cheeks still tinted with color from her time at bat. It’s time to start the game.

The South African batters are now taking the field. Let’s not forget about captain Laura Wolvaardt and her fellow opener Anneke Bosch, who have just endured 125 overs on the Perth pitch and now have to quickly put on their pads to face the new ball and a strong Australian team.

Every cloud…

The king has successfully completed the castling move. Garth has a score of 49 runs, but Healy decides to end their turn. The current lead is 499. Do you think they have a sufficient advantage?

After 124 overs, Australia’s score is 574 for 8, with Garth at 48 and King at 8. King hits a four with a sweep, while Garth hits a six “Happy Gilmore” style for a big six down the ground. This brings Australia past their own record from 26 years ago, making it the highest score in women’s Test cricket.

Australia, that is sufficient. It is time to stop. Enough already.

In the 124th over, Australia’s score is 560-8 with Garth at 41 and King at 1. Garth executes a reverse sweep for four runs, and a missed swing results in the ball getting past the keeper and adding four byes to the score.

Australia continue to add to their score, now at 550-8 with Garth on 36 and King on 0 in the 123rd over. The game seems to be never-ending.

Kim Garth hits a four over midwicket and then attempts a bold over-the-shoulder scoop. The Australian team is dressed in their traditional whites and have applied zinc sunscreen. I am hoping for a declaration.

Sutherland falls just three runs shy of breaking Perry’s record! A reverse-scoop shot causes her to hit the ball with the toe of her bat, resulting in a weak catch to slip where Bosch takes the catch. Her incredible batting performance comes to a close.

Alana King is now at the bat, indicating that Australia believes they lack sufficient resources. Woof.

In the 122nd over, Australia’s score is 541-8 with Garth at 27 and King at 0. Their lead is now 465 runs!

In the 121st over, the Australian team has scored 532 runs for the loss of 7 wickets. Sutherland hits a powerful pull shot behind the square, sending the ball to the boundary. She also manages to score two runs, bringing her close to surpassing Ellyse Perry’s highest Test score of 213*.

In the 120th over, Australia’s score is 522-7 with Sutherland scoring 202 and Garth scoring 17. Garth’s single after tea starts off the post-break play at a slower pace.

After the tea break, the players come onto the field. Sutherland is just twelve runs short of surpassing Ellyse Perry’s highest score in an Australian Test, and 41 runs away from breaking the women’s Test world record held by Kiran Baluch of Pakistan for the past twenty years. With plenty of time left in the match, there has never been a Test triple in women’s cricket before.

I am going to take a short break to make some coffee and contemplate my accomplishments at the age of 22. I will be back shortly.

Response to Sutherland’s impressive two-fold achievement:

Australia is currently leading by only 445 runs in the game.

In the 119th over of the match, Australia’s score was at 521-7 with Sutherland at 202 and Garth at 16. With one ball left before tea, Sutherland hit a drive and a pull to reach 198. de Klerk then bowled a ball on the stumps, challenging Sutherland to make a big play, which she did with a lofted drive over mid-on and a celebratory pose. Sutherland removed her helmet and looked up at the blue skies of Perth, beaming with joy as she received applause from the crowd. It was a remarkable moment and an outstanding innings for Sutherland, who became the ninth woman to score a double century in a Test match.

She has achieved it! In an impressive manner as well! Sutherland reaches the milestone with her third boundary in the over.

In the 118th over, Australia’s score is 509-7 with Sutherland at 190 and Garth at 16. Sutherland scores a single to inch closer to 190. Garth hits a square cut for four runs. With one over left before tea, Sutherland is batting and only needs ten more runs to reach 190.

In the 117th over, Australia’s score is 504-7 with Sutherland at 189 and Garth at 12. Sutherland increases her pace with five minutes remaining before the tea break. She gains two runs down the ground and then executes an impressive lofted drive over extra cover for four. This brings Australia’s score to a cool half century. Sutherland has a chance to reach a double hundred before the break.

In the 116th over, Australia’s score is 497 for 7 with Sutherland at 182 and Garth at 12. Garth is currently playing more aggressively, as Tryon pitches one wide of the off stump and Garth hits it through the off side for four runs. Australia is only one shot away from reaching a total of 500.

In the 115th over, Australia’s score is 492-7 with Sutherland at 181 runs and Garth at 8 runs. Garth hits a strong cut shot for four runs, following a single taken by Sutherland on the first ball.

In the 114th over, Australia’s score is 487-7 with Sutherland at 180 and Garth at 4. Sutherland hits a cut shot for two runs and then takes a single by pushing the ball into the covers, bringing his individual score to 180. Garth also manages to score four runs as he gets a thin edge on a backwards-cut that narrowly avoids the slip fielder and goes for four.

In the 113th over, Australia’s score is 480-7 with Sutherland at 177 runs and Molineux at 33 runs. Sutherland takes a single and seems to be aiming for a double century.

Australia is currently at 479-7 in the 112th over, with Sutherland at 176 and Garth at 0. Despite Garth’s arrival at the wicket, Australia has not yet made the decision to end their innings.

There are only two categories of absences… Molineux chooses not to hit the ball and watches as it turns and knocks off the bails, flying upwards.

In the 111th over, Australia’s score is 474-6 with Sutherland at 171 and Molineux at 33. The batting has been aggressive, as they score 16 runs off Delmi Tucker. A standout moment was when Annabel Sutherland confidently stepped forward and hit a six straight down the ground. Perhaps it’s a sign that they will slow down after tea?

Australia is currently at 458-6 in the 110th over with Sutherland scoring 162 and Molineux at 26. Tryon has entered the game, and both Sutherland and Molineux have each scored a single. The TV broadcast cuts to a live interview with Sutherland’s parents in the stands, exuding pride and joy.

In the 109th over, the Australian team has a score of 456-6 with Sutherland scoring 161 and Molineux scoring 25. Hlubi Tucker makes a mistake with a short delivery, allowing Molineux to hit it hard for a four.

In the 108th over, Australia’s score was 452-6, with Sutherland at 161 runs and Molineux at 21 runs. Hlubi’s delivery was short and Molineux took advantage, smashing it for a four.