Annabel Sutherland’s journey from a promising youngster to one of the most exciting talents in Australian cricket has been nothing short of extraordinary. Once seen as a shadow of the great Ellyse Perry, she is now stepping into the limelight, proving herself as a generational cricketer. With a historic Test century at the MCG and the prestigious Belinda Clark Award to her name, Sutherland’s rapid ascent has sparked discussions—could she be on the verge of surpassing Perry as Australia’s best female cricketer?
On a grand stage that had not hosted women’s Test cricket in 76 years, Sutherland seized her opportunity. Called up in place of the injured Perry, she did not just fill a void—she made history. Her commanding century at the Melbourne Cricket Ground made her the first woman to achieve the feat at the iconic venue.
For Sutherland, the significance of the moment was deeply personal. Reflecting on the achievement, she shared, “The amount of time I’ve spent at the ’G’ as a young kid, watching a lot of cricket, a lot of Boxing Day Tests and then watching the Cats play too… I love this venue and what it means, I guess as a Victorian, so definitely this will sit pretty high up there I’d say.”
Sutherland’s career has had an undeniable link to Perry, one of Australia’s greatest sporting icons. As a teenager, she trained alongside Perry while playing for Victoria, learning from the best during Perry’s prime years. They share a relentless work ethic, an unwavering drive for excellence, and the rare ability to influence games with both bat and ball.
While Perry’s legacy is unparalleled, Sutherland’s numbers are already stacking up impressively. In ODI cricket, she boasts a superior bowling average (22.48) compared to Perry’s 25.37, despite the latter’s vastly greater experience. And like Perry, Sutherland has a hunger for long innings, joining an elite club of Australians who have scored a Test double century.
Lisa Sthalekar, one of the most respected voices in the game, sees striking similarities between the two all-rounders. She wrote in a column, “Perry is known as one of the hardest trainers in the game, while Sutherland is relentless in her preparation, so they seem to be cut from the same cloth…..Just like Perry, Sutherland has an appetite to bat for long periods and they are both part of a unique group of players that have scored a double century for their country.”
The ability to adapt to different roles is a hallmark of great players, and Sutherland demonstrated that perfectly in the Ashes Test. Stepping in at No.3—a position far from her usual middle or lower-order slots—she approached the challenge with confidence and delivered a masterclass.
With women’s Test matches still rare, Sutherland and her teammates have had to develop their skills in the format with limited opportunities. Yet, she is already making an indelible mark. Her three Test centuries place her in an exclusive group, making her one of the most promising long-format batters Australia has ever seen.
Her incredible 2023-24 season was crowned with the highest individual honor in Australian women’s cricket—the Belinda Clark Award. The victory saw her edge past established stars like Ashleigh Gardner and Beth Mooney, further solidifying her growing stature.
Sutherland’s rise has been in the making for years. Since her WBBL debut for the Melbourne Stars and her first Australia cap as an 18-year-old, she has been marked as a future star. However, breaking into a champion side was no easy task. She had to be patient, waiting for her chances, but that patience never dulled her hunger.
Speaking about the journey, she admitted, “If you are a youngster coming through and you aren’t frustrated or wanting to get a crack up the order or bowl more, then you are doing something wrong. I’ve definitely felt at times, probably pestered (head coach) Shelley (Nitschke) a little too much about what opportunities I can get.”
Now, those opportunities are coming thick and fast. Sutherland is no longer just a rising star—she is an established force in Australian cricket, a player with the potential to lead the next era.
Lisa Sthalekar believes this is just the beginning for Sutherland and envisions a bright future ahead. She stated, “The future looks bright for Australian Cricket with Sutherland in it…This is only the start for young Belsy, as she is affectionately known by her teammates, and who knows what heights she will reach?”
Annabel Sutherland’s story is only beginning. With her talent, mindset, and hunger, the sky is the limit. She may have once looked up to Perry, but now, she is running stride for stride with the legend.
(Inputs sourced from Lisa Sthalekar’s column for Nightly)
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