AUS-W vs IND-W, Only Test Day 2: Australia on cusp of victory as Sutherland's century, Hamilton's wicket spree wreck India

The second day of the only Test match of the multi-format series between Australia and India at the WACA in Perth witnessed the home team dominating the visitors completely. Australia began the day at 96/3 trailing by 102 runs with Ellyse Perry and Annabel Sutherland at the crease.

The duo saw off the early phase of the day's play and looked comfortable thereafter. India were desperate to get a breakthrough, but failed to do so as the partnership kept on flourishing. Perry reached her fifth Test fifty in the first hour and maintained the same tempo. Sutherland, at the other end, was stroking the ball with authority as the signs looked ominous for India. It didn't take much time for the 24-year-old to complete her half century as well as Australia were going at a healthy 3.5 runs per over.

Perry, who was going well, perished in the last hour of the first session though as Deepti Sharma trapped the veteran all-rounder for 76(116). During the fag end of her innings, Perry crossed the 1000-run mark in Tests and overtook Karen Rolton's tally of 1002 runs to go to the top among the Australians with 1006.

Beth Mooney now joined Sutherland and the latter completed her record fourth Test century off 133 balls. Remarkably, the Victorian now has the most centuries in Tests for Australia. Meanwhile, Mooney lent a good supporting hand before departing for 19(53). Sutherland did not get any much help subsequently as she too succumbed to Deepti for an excellent 129(171). Australia found themselves at 273/7 at this stage with a handy lead of 75 runs.

The lower order comprising Alana King (21 off 38) and debutant Lucy Hamilton (23 off 54) played valuable cameos before Australia ended their innings at 323 all out with a lead of 125 runs.

India had a terrible start to their second innings as Darcie Brown bowled Smriti Mandhana for a two-ball duck. Her opening partner Shafali Verma could not last long either as she was caught behind off Hamilton for 5(5). The Indian innings could not find any rhythm under the lights as even the star of the first innings Jemimah Rodrigues was out cheaply for 14(15) off Sutherland.

India were 38/3 and Sutherland continued to make her day better with more wickets. Harmanpreet Kaur was her next victim as the Indian skipper failed to play a big innings, getting dismissed for 11(19). It was the turn of Sutherland's pace partner Hamilton to shine again as the left-armer sent back Deepti Sharma and wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh cheaply as well.

At one stage, it felt like India would be bowled out before the end of the day's play but Pratika Rawal and Sneh Rana saved them the blushes. The visitors managed to stave off the inevitable for now as they ended the day at 105/6, still trailing by 20 runs.