England were made to pay for a calamitous fielding display as Annabel Sutherland’s incredible 163 runs from 258 deliveries helped Australia into a dominant 252-run lead on day two of the pink-ball Ashes Test in Melbourne.

Australia had closed on 56-1 from 22 overs to trail by 114 after day one but were quick to get into the lead on day two, Sutherland taking control for her side with a sensational third Test match century in just 193 deliveries that included 14 fours and a six and left England asking questions but not finding any answers.

However, fielding issues continued to be the story for England, as has been a conversation throughout this Ashes series, with questions being raised about the tourists’ athleticism and ability to perform under pressure, and also the futures of captain Heather Knight and head coach Jon Lewis.

England were guilty of a dismal eight dropped catches on day two, drops by Maia Bouchier, Ryana MacDonald-Gay (1-69), Lauren Filer (0-78), Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Amy Jones and Sophie Ecclestone compounding the pressure the visitors ended up under from the dangerous partnership of Sutherland and Beth Mooney (98no).

Eight overs into day two, England had managed to find a much-needed wicket in the shape of Phoebe Litchfield (45), the Aussie opener nicking a Lauren Bell (2-94) delivery behind to keeper Jones.

It was then another 22 overs before the visitors could find their next breakthrough for a third wicket in the Test as Alyssa Healy (34) fell lbw to an Ecclestone (2-134) delivery after tea.

The hosts raced to 278-3 amid England’s calamity in the field, leaving the visitors needing to strike quickly and after hopes were fading as Sutherland and Mooney reached a 150 run-partnership in 169 balls, youngster MacDonald-Gay finally struck and clattered the off-stump to remove the centurion and put Australia on 324-4.

Despite the breakthrough, Australia went on to double England’s first-innings total and then some, another regulation dropped catch from Ecclestone at slip in the 99th over then a second from Filer in the 122th over leaving them ruing even more chances with the 400-run tally coming up.

England’s troubles just kept on growing and the ever-dangerous Mooney remained rampant with the support of Ash Gardner (44) and Tahlia McGrath (9no) she closed the day agonisingly close to a century on 98 with the hosts on a total of 422-5.

England now know they have a massive uphill climb to get back into the Test and try to avoid a 16-0 whitewash but their hopes are ever-fading.

MacDonald-Gay: I wanted to show grit and determination

England’s Ryana MacDonald-Gay, speaking to TNT Sports:

“I was really happy with how it went today.

“It was obviously a celebration of my first Ashes wicket but then I did think she has just got with 163 runs.

“I was definitely very nervous but I am very competitive and don’t want to be shown up by anyone else.

“That is where the grit and determination comes from.

“The only way to keep going was to (forget about the dropped catches) and keep buzzing around.”

England’s ‘worst day’ of the Ashes so far

Former England all-rounder Georgia Elwiss, speaking on TNT Sports about England’s poor fielding:

“They wanted to show heart, they wanted to show fight and they have done anything but that.

“The ball has gone down and Australia have made them pay.

“A lot of it will be to do with fielding for long periods of time and it is contagious.

“I really feel for MacDonald-Gay today. She has had three put down from her bowling.

“Australia have made them pay.”

‘Frustrating’ England must be looking for a draw

Alex Hartley on TNT Sports:

“Obviously there has been a lot of talk about how they have to come out and play the Test match and star again.

“But it is like those bad habits have crept in again.

“With the ball, they are creating those opportunities but putting them down which is so frustrating to see.

“I think it will be a pretty quiet dressing room tonight.

“I think the only way back into it is if Australia have a declaration and England pile on the runs.

“I think the only way is a draw.”

England under 19’s also suffer blow in World Cup semi-final loss

It was also a tough day for England women under 19s who were dumped out of the T20 World Cup in the semi-finals following a nine-wicket defeat to India.

England, after opting to bat, had got off to a good start and moved to 81-2 in their innings before disaster struck and six wickets fell for just 11 runs.

That saw them finish on 113-8 after 20 overs which took India just 15 overs to reach in their chase.

India now face South Africa in Sunday’s final.

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