Australia thumps South Africa in WACA Test on the back of Annabel Sutherland's historic all-round performance

Australia has wrapped up a comprehensive victory over South Africa on day three of the Test match at the WACA, winning by an innings and 284 runs.

[Summary]

It was not without some resistance from South Africa, whose batters fought admirably to banish memories of their first-innings capitulation, when they were bowled out for just 76 in 31.2 overs.

Half-centuries to Delmi Tucker and Chloe Tryon restored a degree of pride for the Proteas, who stubbornly resisted Australia’s stellar bowling attack to pass 200 for just the 12th time in a Test innings.

But wickets to Ellyse Perry, Ash Gardner and Darcie Brown chipped away at the batting line-up, with player of the match Annabel Sutherland chiming in with two late wickets, including that of Tryon, to become the first player in women’s Test history to finish with five wickets and 200 runs in a game.

[Series]

All told, seven of the eight bowlers Australia used in the game took wickets, with only recalled left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux missing out.

Resuming on 3-67, with a mountain to climb and no serious expectations of making Australia bat again or even reaching a fourth and final day, South Africa ensured those coming through the gates would be treated to more than just a short exhibition of Australian bowling.

Tazmin Brits (31) and Tucker (64) combined for a 96-run, 245-ball partnership, a record for the fourth-wicket for South Africa in women’s Test matches.

Even when Ellyse Perry claimed the prize wicket of Brits thanks to a superb low catch from Phoebe Litchfield at first slip the resistance continued, with Chloe Tryon (64) counter-attacking before lunch and stuck with Tucker for a 147-ball, 47-run stand until Tucker fell to strangulation by spin.

In the 24 overs after lunch, South Africa scored just 28 runs — with one boundary — as Gardner, Molineux and Alana King worked in tandem to stifle the tourists.

Gardner struck in back-to-back overs, ending Tucker’s 181-ball stay with a caught and bowled, and removing Nadine de Klerk for a four-ball duck.

Tryon was not immune to the spinning trial, edging King behind when on 38 to Beth Mooney, who juggled and dropped the chance.

Despite the spinners’ success, Alyssa Healy immediately took the second new ball when it was available and Brown justified the call by bowling Sinalo Jafta to leave the Aussies just three wickets from victory.

After some late hitting from Nokululeko Mlaba, Healy turned to the golden arm of Sutherland, who removed Tryon and Mlaba in successive overs before King wrapped up the match and the series with a caught-and-bowled dismissal of Ayanda Hlubi.

[SCORECARD]

Look back on how all the action unfolded in our live blog, or check out the full scorecard.

[Blog]