When this series rolled around four years ago, Ellyse Perry was already a fully fledged superstar. As a strike bowler, she played defining hands capturing Australia three global titles. In one of those, she won the final on a broken ankle. At the same time, she was a first-choice member of Australia’s football team, scoring a World Cup wonder goal. As the youngest to represent the nation in both sports, she was the face of them too.

But in compiling an astonishing unbeaten 213 in the Women’s Ashes Test, she confirmed her standing as a cross-generational star and the best all-rounder in world cricket. Perry forced England into virtual submission across 166 overs, leaving them with the task of holding on for a draw after Australia declared on 448 for nine in response to England’s 280.

Ellyse Perry's scores 213 for Australia on day three of Women's Ashes Test match – as it happened Read more

With able support from Alyssa Healy then Tahlia McGrath across two 100-plus stands, Perry obliterated Heather Knight’s side. England have made it to 40 without loss by stumps, but have badly squandered their earlier advantage. A loss on Sunday will end their hopes of regaining the Women’s Ashes.

Perry came to the crease with Australia 54 for two. Soon they were four down and flailing. Upon resumption on Saturday, the hosts were 103 behind and a wicket away from trouble. But when Perry walked off, having faced 374 balls and batted for 472 minutes, Australia’s lead was 168. She now owns the best Test score for an Australian woman and the third highest ever.

It was an innings defined by supreme control. By CricViz’s calculations, Perry played three false strokes all day. Not a single pull or hook was attempted, highlighting both the docile nature of the track and Perry’s reluctance to take any risks. Instead, she used the pace of the ball to score prolifically behind point.

In turn, England’s best bet was to attack the other end, namely Healy. But a picture-perfect straight drive to kick-start her day signalled intent. She made the early running as the visitors buckled.

Knight came under scrutiny for not opening up with seam from both ends. She replaced Katherine Brunt with spinner Sophie Ecclestone. But the young spinner picked a bad time for her worst spell of the innings. Later, the England skipper defended the decision based on the conditions they found on the day. But plainly, it didn’t work. Then again, nor did anything else.

Leading into drinks, Healy walloped the first of her two sixes, clearing the square-leg rope with a flick off Anya Shrubsole then clipping along the carpet for four more. Perry, meanwhile, cut with precision throughout their union. Her maiden international ton had been a long time coming after 28 half-centuries across the formats. She reached it with a tickle around the corner off Laura Marsh – her 17th boundary from her 225th ball. The response reflected how much the milestone meant to her.

It was made all the better for Perry having Healy with her. “I very much consider [Healy] to be a sister,” she said. “It was very special to be out there with her and share that with her. More than anything I thought she batted exceptionally well and really set the tone for us as we got some momentum back early on.”

The door was opened briefly for England when Healy tried to put Marsh out of the ground for her third six, but this time she taken well by Shrubsole at mid-off with Australia 10 short of taking the lead. McGrath then spooned her first delivery to Knight at short cover, but the relatively straightforward chance was grassed.

They would not have another for more than two hours as McGrath went about making them pay. The 22-year-old debutant worked with Perry to grind England down after the first break as they put on 103. That was cut short when McGrath hit a Georgia Elwiss full toss to Nat Sciver at midwicket three short of 50.

After the break, Perry had one final box to tick: the double hundred, and moved in that direction with comfort. But seven short, Australia’s ninth wicket fell. A gear change was required to hurry up the process so she clobbered Marsh over midwicket on 194. All 3,932 people here thought she had done it and Perry too. But celebrations stopped when the TV replay showed the ball landing inches short. It mattered little, Perry struck a glorious straight drive to complete the job.

“It was fun,” said Perry. “I had an amazing time out there today batting with all the girls and just taking in what was such a special day in terms of the crowd attendance. It was just a really great event for women’s cricket.”