England 40 for 0 (Beaumont 25*, Winfield 12*) and 280 trail Australia 448 for 9 decl (Perry 213*, McGrath 47, Ecclestone 3-107, Marsh 3-109) by 128 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Ellyse Perry smacked one six in her innings © Getty Images
Ellyse Perry soared into rarified air with a double-century that redefined the Women’s Ashes Test on the third day at North Sydney Oval.
In taking Australia from a probable deficit to a commanding lead of 168 before they declared, Perry turned her first international century into an innings to rank with another first-time centurion – Bob Simpson’s 311 against England at Manchester in 1964. For significance in a series, it bore comparison to Steve Waugh’s even 200 against the then world champions West Indies in Jamaica in 1995.
Like Waugh, Perry waited until the No. 11 was at the crease to reach the milestone. Rather than Glenn McGrath, this time it was Megan Schutt who held firm to help Perry to a milestone that gave her the highest score by an Australian woman in Test matches. Perry ended her innings undismissed as the hosts chased late wickets under lights.
Though they were unable to separate Lauren Winfield and Tammy Beaumont before the close, the Australians could still bask in Perry’s achievement, aided by the stubbornness of the lower order. Australia’s highest profile player for a long time, she now has an achievement to rank with the game’s titans.
Daniel Brettig is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. @danbrettig
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo