Cricket: Brittin hits 146 to enter record books

England 414 Australia 99-1

IT WAS a day for the record books as runs flowed and Jan Brittin claimed an exalted place in the history of women's cricket in the first Test between England and Australia at Guildford yesterday.

Brittin's innings of 146 was her highest in Tests, and with a career aggregate of 1,631 she became the leading Test runscorer in the women's game. The previous highest scorer was the former England captain, Rachel Heyhoe-Flint, with 1,594 runs. England's eventual 414 was their best against Australia in 34 Test matches.

Brittin's marathon eight-hour innings ended when she was run out after yet another mid-pitch mix-up by England. The 39-year-old Brittin had hit 13 fours and a five.

Australia went into bat after tea on the second day and England were immediately rewarded with the key wicket of Belinda Clark.

On 11, the Australian captain fended off a delivery from left-armer Lucy Pearson and the recalled Suzanne Redfern snapped it up at short leg.

The England captain, Karen Smithies, turned to the leg-spin of Cathryn Leng as early as the 11th over. Leng, Charlotte Edwards and left-armer Clare Connor extracted some turn but there were still too many loose deliveries which Australia punished with ease.

At stumps Lisa Keightley, who had been dropped behind off Edwards, was on 45, and Joanne Broadbent was on 36.