The stage is set at the iconic WACA Ground in Perth for a high-stakes encounter as hosts Australia Women and India Women lock horns in a day-night Test starting March 6. It’s a fascinating battle of styles: India arrives with the confidence of an unbeaten streak in their last five Tests, while Australia are playing in their own backyard, where the pace and bounce of the pink ball usually work in their favor.
For India, the challenge is as much about the conditions as it is about the opposition. Moving from the spin-friendly tracks of India to the fast, rhythmic bounce of Perth is no small feat, and the team will be leaning heavily on their senior core to show the way. Smriti Mandhana, who has a memorable history with the pink ball in Australia, will be looking to repeat her heroics, while Deepti Sharma’s all-round stability remains India’s heartbeat. On the other side, Australia welcomes back the clinical edge of their pace attack, and with Alyssa Healy leading from the front in what is a massive occasion for her, the hosts will be desperate to prove that the Wankhede result was just a one-off blip in their otherwise spotless red-ball record.
Squads:
Australia Women’s Cricket Team
Alyssa Healy, Darcie Brown, Maitlan Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Lucy Hamilton, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Annabel Sutherland, Rachel Trenaman, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham
India Women’s Cricket Team
Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Uma Chetry, Harleen Deol, Kranti Gaud, Kashvee Gautam, Richa Ghosh, Amanjot Kaur, Pratika Rawal, Sneh Rana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Sayali Satghare, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Vaishnavi Sharma
Players to watch out:
Alyssa Healy
Heading into what will be her final international appearance, the Australian captain brings a wealth of experience with 10 Test matches under her belt. She has proven to be a reliable presence in the middle order, accumulating 489 runs at a solid average of 30.56. Her ability to anchor an innings is evident from her three half-centuries, and she remains a wall behind the stumps with 22 catches and 2 stumpings to her name in Test match cricket.
Ellyse Perry
A true legend of the format, Perry’s Test record is nothing short of extraordinary across her 14 matches. She has amassed 930 runs at a staggering average of 58.12, including two centuries and a career-best unbeaten 213 that remains one of the greatest knocks in women’s cricket. Her impact isn’t limited to the bat either, as she has claimed 39 wickets with her pace, making her the ultimate match-winner for Australia.
Smriti Mandhana
India’s stylish opener has a natural flair for the longest format, featuring in 6 Tests and scoring 629 runs at an average of 57.18. She famously became the first Indian woman to score a century in a pink-ball Test during the 2021 clash in Australia, a feat she compliments with three additional fifties. Her ability to give India quick yet composed starts will be crucial as she looks to build on her highest score of 127 on Australian soil.
Deepti Sharma
Deepti has quickly become one of India’s most vital Test assets, especially after her recent heroics where she has shown great temperament over her 5 matches. With 319 runs at an impressive average of 63.80, she provides immense stability to the lower-middle order, bolstered by four half-centuries. Her off-spin is equally lethal in the four-day game, having already picked up 20 wickets, including a five-wicket haul that turned games in India’s favor.
Pitch:
The WACA Ground in Perth is legendary for its extreme pace and bounce, historically ranking as one of the fastest pitches in world cricket. For a Test match, expect a hard, grass-covered surface that provides significant carry for seamers. Batters must not only handle the trick conditions but also stiff afternoon sea breeze that could assist swing bowlers.
Weather:
The forecast is perfectly suited for cricket in Perth with clear, sunny conditions. Expect a high of 34°C and a low of 22°C, with dry air and a low humidity of 33%. A steady wind of 13 mph from the south will provide that characteristic breeze for the bowlers, and there is a 0% chance of rain to interrupt the play.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Alyssa Healy, Maitlan Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Alana King, Ellyse Perry, Georgia Wareham, Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Uma Chetry, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma
Match Details:
Date – March 5, 2026
Time – 10:50 AM IST
Venue – Western Australia Cricket Association Ground, Perth,
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on Jio Hotstar and telecasted on Star Sports.
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