Mooney Becomes First Australian Woman to Score Centuries in All Formats
Australian wicketkeeper-batter Beth Mooney etched her name in cricket history by becoming the first female cricketer from Australia to score centuries in all three formats of the game. She accomplished this milestone during the one-off Women’s Ashes Test against England at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Mooney’s Record-Breaking Knock
In response to England’s first-innings total of 170, Mooney played a crucial role in stabilizing Australia’s innings. She scored a magnificent 106 runs off 173 deliveries, including seven boundaries, striking at a rate of over 61. Her impressive knock helped Australia gain a strong foothold in the match.
Mooney’s International Career in Numbers
- Test Cricket: In eight Tests, Mooney has amassed 559 runs in 13 innings at an average of 43.00, including one century and four half-centuries.
- One-Day Internationals (ODIs): Having played 82 ODIs, she has scored 2,553 runs at an average of 47.27 and a strike rate exceeding 85, with three centuries and 18 fifties. Her highest ODI score is 133.
- T20 Internationals (T20Is): In 109 matches, Mooney has accumulated 3,215 runs at an average of 41.21 and a strike rate surpassing 124, including two centuries and 25 fifties, with a top score of 117.
With this latest feat, she now has six international centuries to her name and joins an elite group of women’s cricketers—Heather Knight, Tammy Beaumont (England), and Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa)—who have also registered centuries in all formats. Additionally, Mooney becomes only the fourth Australian cricketer overall to achieve this milestone, following in the footsteps of Shane Watson, Glenn Maxwell, and David Warner.
Partnership with Sutherland Strengthens Australia’s Dominance
Mooney, alongside Annabel Sutherland, built a game-changing 154-run partnership for the fourth wicket. With both players reaching centuries, they secured their place on the prestigious MCG Test century honor board—an achievement shared only between them in women’s cricket.
Match Summary: Australia in Command
After winning the toss, Australia chose to field first, and their bowlers quickly dismantled England’s batting lineup. Spinner Alana King shone with a four-wicket haul, while Kim Garth and Darcie Brown chipped in with two wickets each. England struggled to put up a fight, with only Nat Sciver-Brunt managing a half-century as they were bowled out for 170.
Australia’s batting, in contrast, started steadily with contributions from Phoebe Litchfield and captain Alyssa Healy. Mooney and Sutherland’s partnership, along with Ash Gardner’s valuable 44 off 81 balls, propelled Australia to a commanding total of 440, giving them a massive 270-run lead.
England’s bowlers, including Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Bell, and Lauren Filer, worked hard, but Australia remained dominant. With England already trailing in the series after losing all the ODIs and T20Is, they now face the daunting prospect of a rare Ashes series whitewash.
Mooney’s landmark achievement and Australia’s dominant performance further cement their superiority in the Women’s Ashes series.
