Beth Mooney becomes first Australian woman to score centuries in all formats; MCG crowd gives standing ovation

Australia wicketkeeper-batter Beth Mooney made history with her remarkable century during the Women’s Ashes Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Following her Test century, Beth Mooney became the first Australian woman batter to score centuries in all three formats of international cricket.

Resuming from her overnight score of 98, Beth Mooney started Day 3 with a tense moment against England's Sophie Ecclestone. After surviving a close call when partner Tahlia McGrath sent her back on an attempted single, the batter drove the ball through the off-side and ran two runs between the wickets.

Watch: The MCG Crowd Stands as One to Appreciate Beth Mooney

The 31-year-old brought up her century off 155 balls and celebrated the achievement with a fist pump and a helmet salute to nearly 6,000 spectators. However, she was bowled out by Lauren Filer for 106 off 173 balls. Despite the dismissal, Mooney’s impressive innings was highly appreciated by the crowd.

7Cricket took to social media X (formerly known as Twitter) to share a clip of fans appreciating the batter after her dismissal, with the caption, "The MCG crowd stands as one to appreciate Beth Mooney 👏 #Ashes."

The MCG crowd stands as one to appreciate Beth Mooney 👏#Ashes pic.twitter.com/IWGNWhfgSL

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) February 1, 2025

Beth Mooney Becomes First Australian Woman to Record Centuries in All Formats

Beth Mooney has become the fourth woman to score a century in all three formats of international cricket, joining England's Heather Knight and Tammy Beaumont and South Africa's Laura Wolvaardt in this elite group. Mooney has smashed three centuries in ODIs and two in T20Is.

Her first ODI ton came in 2017 against New Zealand, followed by her first T20I century that same year during the Ashes. She hit her second T20I century in 2019 against Sri Lanka, and her second and third ODI tons came in 2023 against India and Pakistan, respectively.

“The triple feat of centuries across all three formats is complete on the grandest of stages in the grandest of competitions. Beth Mooney, you are the epitome of batting eliteness,” Fox Cricket commentator Mel Jones said.

Fellow commentator Kirby Short added: “She’s been wanting that for a long time … She’s a traditionalist, she loves Test cricket – and that will mean the most.”

Would’ve Been Nice to Slice That Cover Drive a Bit Straighter - Beth Mooney

Beth Mooney’s name now joins teammate Annabel Sutherland’s on the MCG Test century honor board. Sutherland scored 163 on Friday. Speaking to Fox Cricket at the conclusion of yesterday’s play, Mooney said that it would have been ideal to reach triple figures before stumps.

“It would’ve been nice to slice that cover drive a bit straighter, but it wasn’t to be. Better to bat in the daytime, I think,” she said.

Mooney's remarkable form continued after her century, as she surpassed 405 runs in the ongoing Ashes series. She broke Natalie Sciver-Brunt's record of 404 runs set during the 2023 Ashes in the UK.

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