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AAP
AAP
Justin Chadwick

Ruthless Aussies pluck Proteas, now watch out world

Australia have crushed South Africa by an innings and 284 runs in the one-off women's Test in Perth. (Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS)

After crushing South Africa into the dust in a one-sided women's Test at the WACA Ground, Australia have turned their attention to conquering the world in an action-packed 18 months ahead.

Australia secured victory in the multi-format series against South Africa after crushing the Proteas by an innings and 284 runs inside three days in Perth.

South Africa were bowled out for 215 in their second innings shortly after tea on Saturday, despite the best efforts of Delmi Tucker (64 off 181 balls), Chloe Tryon (64 off 153 balls) and Tazmin Brits (31 off 127 balls).

South Africa's Chloe Tryon
South Africa's Chloe Tryon showed resolve in the second innings of the Test against Australia. (Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS)

Australia were in an unlosable position after amassing a women's world record score of 9-575 declared in response to the tourists' measly 76.

The Test win follows on from 2-1 victories in the ODI and T20 series, where South Africa fought hard to snare their first ever wins over Australia in each white-ball format.

Australia's best players will now head to India for the Women's Premier League.

A T20 and ODI tour of Bangladesh follows, before the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh starting in September.

This will be followed by a home Ashes series, which includes a Test match.

Australia will also be preparing for the ODI World Cup in the middle of 2025.

Australian captain Alyssa Healy was proud of her team's efforts against South Africa.

And she senses a steely determination in the squad ahead of some massive challenges both at home and abroad.

"We've got a cheeky little trip to Bangladesh after WPL, and that's huge leading into a T20 World Cup over there at the back-end of this year," Healy said.

"Two World Cups in the space of 18 months is huge for our squad. 

"And then you throw in an Ashes series in between - it's a busy time for our group, but I've never seen this group more hungry to play cricket, and more excited to challenge themselves, which is huge."

South Africa were always going to be up against it in the first women's Test match between the two nations after losing star allrounder Marizanne Kapp to illness before the match.

The Proteas rocked up on day three in all sorts of trouble at 3-67 in their second dig, but Brits was the only wicket to fall during the morning session.

Tryon was dropped twice on the way to her half-century.

Spinner Ashleigh Gardner (2-29) took a diving catch off her own bowling to end Tucker's defiant stand, and two overs later she had Nadine de Klerk caught for a duck.

The impressive Darcie Brown (2-47) made the most of the new ball by bowling Sinalo Jafta (nine), and it was Annabel Sutherland who got the key breakthrough when she bowled Tryon.

It continued a standout match from 22-year-old Sutherland, who posted the fourth-highest score in women's Test cricket on Friday when she blasted 210 off 256 deliveries, earning her player-of-the-match honours.

South African skipper Laura Wolvaardt said the Test match was an enjoyable experience, despite her team being crushed.

It was only South Africa's second Test match in the past decade.

"This red-ball game, we were pretty much outplayed in all facets of the game," Wolvaardt said.

"Just being able to play was really special, at this iconic venue as well.

"Hopefully we'll play more in the future." 

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