Annabel Sutherland Shines As Australia Crush India Women In Alyssa Healy’s Last Test

Australia Women beat India Women by 10 wickets [Source: @cricketcomau/x.com]

Australia Women trounced India Women by 10 wickets in the one-off pink-ball Test at the WACA in Perth, wrapping up the contest well inside three days. The hosts were in control for most parts of the match and never allowed India to claw their way back into the contest. 

The result also carried emotional weight as it marked Alyssa Healy’s final Test appearance in the baggy green. Australia made sure their captain signed off on a winning note with a dominating victory.

India’s first innings struggles set the tone

India’s troubles started right from the first morning. The top order never really got going, and wickets fell at regular intervals.

Smriti Mandhana was dismissed early, while Shafali Verma showed some spark with a brisk 35 off 48 balls. But just when India needed someone to dig their heels in, another wicket would tumble.

The only batter who held the fort for a while was Jemimah Rodrigues. She played a calm and sensible knock of 52 off 84 balls, stitching together the innings when the rest of the lineup kept walking back to the pavilion.

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Down the order, Kashvee Gautam added some useful runs with a fighting 34 not out, but India eventually folded for 198 in 62.4 overs.

Australia’s bowlers kept things tight and disciplined. Annabel Sutherland was the pick of the bowlers with 4 wickets, while debutant Lucy Hamilton chipped in with three scalps.

Sutherland and Perry put Australia in command

Australia Women didn’t get off to the smoothest start either. Early wickets meant India had a sniff in the contest. But then came the partnership that tilted the game completely.

Ellyse Perry, as reliable as ever, produced a classy 76 off 116 balls. But the real game-changer was Annabel Sutherland.

The all-rounder played a superb innings of 129 runs as she displayed patience and control throughout her stay at the crease. She picked her moments well and kept the scoreboard ticking.

By the time Sutherland was dismissed, Australia had already built a mountain of runs. The hosts eventually posted 323 in their first innings, taking a commanding 125-run lead.

India did manage some breakthroughs with the ball. Sayali Satghare impressed with 4 wickets, while Kranti Gaud and Deepti Sharma chipped in as well. But the damage had already been done.

Pratika Rawal fights a lone battle

Trailing by a big margin, India needed a strong second innings to stay alive in the Test. Unfortunately, the top order once again crumbled like a house of cards.

Smriti Mandhana lasted just two balls. Shafali Verma didn’t hang around for long either. Soon enough, India were staring down the barrel. Amidst the chaos, Pratika Rawal stood firm.

The young opener showed incredible patience and composure. She battled hard for 63 runs off 137 balls and held one end together while wickets kept falling around her.

Sneh Rana chipped in with a useful 30, but the rest of the lineup couldn’t offer much resistance. India were eventually bowled out for 149 in 48.2 overs, leaving Australia with a tiny target of 25 runs.

Australia’s bowlers kept the pressure on throughout the innings. Lucy Hamilton again struck three times, while Ashleigh Gardner and Alana King grabbed two wickets each.

Easy finish for Australia in Healy’s final Test

With just 25 runs needed, Australia were never going to break a sweat. Openers Georgia Voll and Phoebe Litchfield knocked off the runs with ease. 

Voll struck a quick 16, while Litchfield remained unbeaten on 11. The chase was wrapped up in just 4.3 overs as the Aussies completed a comfortable 10-wicket victory.

Emotional farewell for Alyssa Healy

While the result highlighted Australia Women’s dominance, the match also marked the end of an era. This was Alyssa Healy’s final Test appearance for Australia.

Over the years, Healy has been one of the pillars of Australian women’s cricket. Her fearless batting and sharp work behind the stumps have defined an entire generation.

Although she didn’t produce a big score in this Test, the match still carried emotional weight as fans and teammates bid farewell to one of Australia’s modern greats.

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