India posted a competitive total of 285 before getting bundled out in 74.5 overs, after the home skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt won the toss and opted to field first in the historic 1st-ever women’s Test match at Lord’s.
India’s total was built around solid contributions from the elegant opening batter Smriti Mandhana (83 off 108 balls), skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (58 off 121 balls), Deepti Sharma (57 off 87 balls) and Jemimah Rodrigues (35 off 38 balls).
Sophie Ecclestone (21.5-2-68-3), Lauren Filer (13-1-40-2), and debutant Maddy Villiers (19-1-79-2) stood out with the ball for England. Kranti Gaud provided the early breakthrough for India by dismissing Tammy Beaumont (2 off 7 balls) in the 4th over of the innings; England ended the first day’s play at 21/1 in 11 overs, trailing India by 264 runs at stumps.
It was Kranti Gaud yet again, providing India with an ideal start to the 2nd day’s play by dismissing a well-set Maia Bouchier (23 off 52 balls) in the 14th over of the innings, providing a crucial 2nd breakthrough for her side. India’s pace-bowling duo of Sayali Satghare and Kranti Gaud pounced on the opportunity and reduced the home side to 47/4 in the space of the next four overs, putting the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side in a dominant position in the 1st hour of the 2nd day’s play.
Wicket-keeper batter Amy Jones joined skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt at the crease, and the duo were calming the nerves down in the camp with a composed mix of intent and caution. The partnership moved to 41, with England at 88/4 in 25 overs at the drink’s interval. Both batters continued to move the innings along at a decent rate. The partnership soared to 84 for the 5th wicket, which also took them past the 130-run mark.
Off-spinner Sneh Rana broke the stand, by sending the wicket-keeper batter Amy Jones (52 off 62 balls) back to the pavilion in the 38th over of the innings, almost on the stroke of lunch, to provide the much-needed 5th breakthrough for India. She completed a fluent half-century before getting dismissed. Maddy Villiers joined skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt at the crease, hoping to get England as close to India’s total as possible alongside skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt. The home side headed to lunch at 137/5 in 40 overs, trailing India by 148 runs.
Relentless Display from the bowlers triggers lower-order collapse post lunch as the home side folds for 170
The Indian unit walked out determined to land a further dent on England’s aspirations of scripting a fightback. Kranti Gaud returned for another spell and got the massive breakthrough by sending the opposition skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt (44 off 85 balls) back to the pavilion to provide the much-needed 6th breakthrough for India. The English lower order crumbled, and the home side folded for 170 in 59.1 overs, losing their last four wickets for just 28 runs, with a deficit of 115 runs.
Kranti Gaud (17-7-37-5) picked up her maiden five-wicket haul in the format, earning her a spot on the famous honours board at Lord’s. She became the first woman to be inducted into the Lord’s honours board. Sneh Rana (14-3-41-2), Sayali Satghare (13-3-40-2), and Deepti Sharma (7.1-2-10-1) were the top performers with the ball for India.
The Indian top-order capitalised on a massive first-innings lead to pile on the mystery for the hosts
India earned a massive first-innings lead of 115 runs. The Indian openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma pounced on the opportunity to strengthen India’s grip on the contest. The pair approached the innings with positive intent, scoring at a rate of five runs an over, heading into the tea break at 30/0.
The pair continued to keep the scoreboard ticking at a brisk rate post the tea interval. The partnership soared to 88, and the lead crossed the 200-run mark. The left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone broke the stand, by sending the ominous Shafali Verma (33 off 55 balls) back to the pavilion in the 21st over of the innings to provide the crucial first breakthrough for England.
Wicket-keeper batter Yastika Bhatia (39* off 73 balls) joined Smriti Mandhana (69* off 124 balls) at the crease and the wicket-keeper batter didn’t hesitate to take the attack to the opposition bowlers, capitalizing on the loose deliveries. The pair stitched another crucial unbeaten 66-run stand for the 2nd wicket, which also took India past the 150-run mark, and the lead soared to 269 runs. India ended the 2nd day’s play at 154/1 in 42 overs.
Sophie Ecclestone (12-1-46-1) and Lauren Bell (11-5-16-0) were impressive with the ball for England. The visitors would be keen to bat England out of the contest with a massive lead tomorrow.
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