"These series are the ones we look forward to": Beth Mooney on playing multi-format series
Feb 17, 2024
Perth [Australia], February 17 : After winning the one-off Test against South Africa at Perth on Saturday, star Australia Women wicketkeeper-batter Beth Mooney opined that playing multi-format series tests all the skills of the game
Mooney scored 78 in the match, starring in Australia's win by an innings and 284 runs. Australia had earlier won ODI and T20I series 2-1 each.
"These series are the ones we look forward to, the multi-format series. It tests all the skills of the game and is exciting. I just enjoy being out there batting and playing for different teams. I work pretty closely back home with Shel Nitschke (coach) in Brisbane. I did not have the best series in India so I came home and worked hard and made sure I was right to go for this series," said Mooney in the post-match presentation.
Coming to the match, despite fighting knocks from Delmi Tucker and Chloe Tryon in South Africa Women's second innings, Australia went on to secure a massive win in Perth during the one-off Test by a margin of an innings and 284 runs on Saturday.
This was Australia's largest victory by the margin of innings, overcoming their previous best of innings and 140 runs against England in 2001. This was also the second-biggest win by the margin of an innings, as per ICC.
Coming to the match, Alyssa Healy won the toss and elected to field in searing hot conditions at the WACA, Perth. Rising fast bowling star Darcie Brown (5/21) ran through the Proteas batting lineup and restricted them to 76 all out with her maiden five-wicket haul. This was South Africa Women's lowest-ever total in Test cricket. Sune Luus (26) was the only batter who could cross the 20-run mark.
After suffering early stutters against Masabata Klaas (3/85), Australia took control of their batting innings with brilliant fifties from Beth Mooney (78) and Alyssa Healy (99). However, it was Annabel Sutherland's brilliant maiden double ton which helped the hosts press their advantage even further.
Sutherland was the ninth double centurion in the women's Tests and the fifth player for Australia to get to the milestone.
Sutherland reached her landmark double ton off just 248 balls, making it the fastest double century in women's Tests; the previous best being Karen Rolton's off 306 balls. She also became the youngest Australian woman to score a double hundred.
Sutherland was eventually dismissed on 210, a tremendous knock that included 27 fours and two sixes.
Australia ended up declaring on 575/9 - the highest total in women's Tests, breaking their own record set in 1998. Tryon (3/81) and Nadine de Klerk (2/96) also did impressive bowling
South Africa was dismissed for 215 runs in their second innings. Other than Tryon and Tucker (64 runs each) only two players, Tanzim Brits (31) and Nonkululeko Mlaba (15) were able to cross the double-digit mark.
For the hosts, two wickets each were snapped by Kim Garth, Brown, Ashley Gardner and Sutherland and one wicket each was bagged by Elysse Perry and Alana King in their respective spells.
Sutherland took home the 'Player of the Match' award for a double century and five wickets in the match.
