Great Sutherland: Annabel is one of the best the game has seen

PL on Annabel Sutherland's record breaking fourth Test century puts Australia in a strong position against India at the WACA

Later, Annabel Sutherland admits that one of the reasons she loves Test cricket is that she is a naturally patient person, and the format indulges those blessed with such a temperament. In women’s Test cricket, patience is as necessary on the field as it is off. The current Test against India at the WACA is the first Australia has played since January last year and the last before they play another one-off against England midway through 2027.

Sutherland scored a commanding century on a hot second day of the Test against India in Perth. It was the fourth of a career that spans but 10 innings and seven games in all — the fourth in five Tests.

It follows on from an undefeated 137 in Nottingham (June 2023), a towering 210 at the WACA against South Africa (February 2024) and 163 at the MCG against England (Jan 2025).

Sutherland is the first woman to score three consecutive Test hundreds.

Her four centuries are the most by any Australian woman, bettering three by Betty Wilson and Jill Kennare. It also places her equal second on the international list, behind only Jan Brittin with five from a career that stretched two decades.