Karen Rolton usually hates it when someone challenges her. England really did get into her nerves when she dismissed her for naught in the first Test of the Ashes tour.
Even though the team had won the Test match with ease, thanks to the debutant Michelle Goszko’s double ton and Cathryn Fitzpatrick’s eight wicket-haul in the Test. The visitors went on to win the match by an innings and 140 runs.
In the 2nd Test, Australia had asked England to bat first and Cathryn Fitzpatrick once again ran through the top order of the hosts and ended up grabbing five wickets in the first innings. The team made only 144.
In return, the skipper Clark survived only a few deliveries for her six runs which introduced Rolton to the crease. Lisa Keightley, on the other hand, was batting with ease and had made forty runs before getting out. She added 77 runs for the 2nd wicket along with Rolton.
After her dismissal, Goszko walked back for naught this time and Rolton joined hands with Broadfoot. The duo slowly built up a partnership and Rolton dominated the England bowlers. Soon, she got to her double hundred and made five runs more than her teammate Goszko, became the highest run-scorer in women’s Test.
She was 209* when Australia declared for 383/4. In return, Claire Taylor was the lone warrior as Mason and Fitzpatrick shared eight wickets between team to rattle England. Taylor made 137 runs but unfortunately, she had no support.
In the end, Australia chased down the target, seven runs, with ease to take the 2-match Test series.
Rolton remained at the top of the highest scorer in Women’s Test for a while before Mithali Raj took over and Kiran Baluch took over from Mithali Raj in 2004. Baluch’s 242 is still the highest score in women’s Test.
However, Rolton’s record stood for 16 years among Australians before Ellyse Perry crossed the margin recently.
