Australia Takes Charge in Pink-Ball Test: Sutherland and Perry Shine
Synopsis
On day two of the pink-ball Test in Perth, Annabel Sutherland and Ellyse Perry led Australia to a commanding position. Sutherland's 93 and Perry's 76 helped Australia surpass India's score, establishing a lead of 19 runs. Can India respond in the second session?
Key Takeaways
Annabel Sutherland is unbeaten on 93.
Ellyse Perry scored a solid 76.
Australia leads by 19 runs at tea.
India's first-innings score was 198.
Ellyse Perry reached over 1,000 career Test runs.
Perth, March 7 (NationPress) Annabel Sutherland remains unbeaten on 93, while Ellyse Perry contributed a solid 76, guiding Australia to a strong position on day two of the single pink-ball Test against India. The home side reached 217/4 in 58 overs at tea, boasting a lead of 19 runs at the WACA Ground on Saturday.
Starting from 96/3, Australia exhibited control during the morning session, with Ellyse and Annabel successfully building on their overnight partnership. Both players confidently raised their half-centuries and kept the scoreboard ticking against India’s bowling attack in the intense heat.
Ellyse, who last scored a fifty in July 2023, appeared poised for a century before being dismissed lbw by Deepti Sharma after a review. This dismissal followed her achievement of surpassing 1,000 career Test runs, making her Australia’s top run-scorer in this format and the first woman to achieve the dual milestone of 1,000 runs and 30 wickets in Tests.
Annabel, who was dropped on 90 by wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh, continued with assurance and is nearing her fourth Test century. Beth Mooney, who was given two lifelines early in her innings—once at silly point and again in the slips—anchored her position and remained not out on 19.
Their impressive 128-run partnership not only propelled Australia beyond India’s first-innings score of 198 but also established a lead with six wickets still in hand. India’s spinners struggled to find any turn on the pitch, and the seamers failed to deliver impactful bowling.
Missed opportunities in the field have compounded India’s frustrations, as they now face the challenge of taking wickets consistently in the second session to curb Australia’s growing dominance.
Brief Scores: India 198 in 62.4 overs (Jemimah Rodrigues 52; Annabel Sutherland 4-46) trail Australia 217/4 in 58 overs (Annabel Sutherland 93 not out, Ellyse Perry 76; Sayali Satghare 2-38, Deepti Sharma) by 19 runs.
Point of View
The performance of Annabel Sutherland and Ellyse Perry has placed Australia in a favorable position in the Test match. However, India's bowling attack needs to regroup and find ways to capitalize on missed opportunities to shift the momentum back in their favor.
NationPress
9 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the score at tea on day two?
Australia reached 217/4 in 58 overs at tea, leading by 19 runs.
Who are the standout performers for Australia?
Annabel Sutherland with an unbeaten 93 and Ellyse Perry with 76 are the standout performers.
What was India's first-innings score?
India scored 198 in their first innings.
How many runs did Australia lead by?
Australia leads by 19 runs at tea.
What records did Ellyse Perry achieve?
Ellyse Perry has surpassed 1,000 career Test runs, becoming Australia's leading run-scorer in Tests.
