AUSTRALIA finds itself firmly in control of its sole test match with South Africa halfway through the match after a solid day with the bat.

Largely thanks to the efforts of Annabel Sutherland, Australia holds with a lead of 432 runs after the second day of the match. Sutherland started the day at only 54 not out, but ended it with 210 runs to her name after a fine batting display.

She really started from where Beth Mooney and Alyssa Healy had left off after day one and teamed up with Ash Gardner and then Sophie Molineux to help the score go past 500 as the task became harder and harder for the tourists.

Gardner had an impressive day at the crease, making 65 runs of her own, but the day belonged to the young Victorian Sutherland, who smashed two sixes in her innings and brought up her double ton with a four.

Healy then decided enough was enough and declared in the final session of the day, which unfortunately left poor Kim Garth stranded on 49 not out. However, the destructive Aussie bowlers found quick success again, again picking up plenty of cheap wickets early.

South Africa was at one stage 3/13, but thanks to a dogged effort from Tazmin Brits and Delmi Tucker, managed to dig in until the end of the day without any further wickets lost.

South Africa now finds itself heading into the second half of the match with a mountain to climb if it wants to even rescue a draw.

AUSTRALIA VS SOUTH AFRICA – END OF DAY TWO SCORECARD

1st Innings

South Africa (10/76)

Sune Luus 26
Masabata Klaas 10 not out

Darcie Brown five wickets
Annabel Sutherland three wickets
Tahlia McGrath two wickets

2nd Innings

Australia (9/575 declared)

Annabel Sutherland 210
Alyssa Healy 99
Beth Mooney 78

Masabata Klaas three wickets
Chloe Tryon three wickets
Nadine de Klerk two wickets

3rd innings

South Africa (3/67)

Delmi Tucker 27 not out
Tazmin Brits 18 not out

Kim Garth two wickets
Darcie Brown one wicket