In 2006, Jhulan Goswami became the first and to date, the only women’s cricketer from India to complete a 10-wicket haul in Test Cricket. Her outstanding performance in the match played a big part in India’s win in the second test, and eventually, the series win on India’s tour of England.
This was the Indian women’s first-ever win against the English in their own background – an incredible achievement after making their test debut 43 years after England. An icon and legend of Indian cricket, the speedster from Bengal has inspired young girls across the country to take up the bat and ball. Let’s take a look at the historic encounter at Taunton on the Cooper Associates County Ground.
WORLD RECORD 👇#OnThisDay in 2006, @JhulanG10 took 10 for 78 against England Women at Taunton.
Became the only Indian Woman to take 10 Wickets in a Test Match. pic.twitter.com/9io38P2aYf
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) August 31, 2020
After winning the toss and electing to bat, the Indian women were provided a solid foundation through Mithali Raj’s 65 after a shaky start. Another legend of Indian cricket, Anjum Chopra, played a tremendous knock of 98, falling just a couple short of her hundred to England’s Indian-origin cricketer, Isa Guha. Chopra’s innings was vital after Mithali Raj was dismissed, and she kept losing wickets at the other end. With the help of Rumeli Dhar, who scored a gutsy 43, India set a very respectable total of 307.
The second innings of the match saw Jhulan Goswami come up against her favorites, England. Out of her 177 ODI’s, Goswami has taken the most scalps against England – 63 wickets in 44 ODI’s at an average of 18.64. Her best figures in both ODI’s and Test matches are against England, taking 5-16 in the match. The English faced the Bengal speedster’s wrath right away, removing the top 3 of England with 22 on the scoreboard. A hero of English cricket, Charlotte Edwards was doing a brilliant job of steadying the ship while also keeping the tail-enders from harm’s way. Jhulan came back in full steam and caught the batsmen plumb in front of her wickets. She went on to take another to finish the innings on 5/33 and wrapped up England at 99, enforcing the follow-on.
Goswami struck early once again in England’s second innings, but this time the English were much more resilient and determined. Opener Caroline Atkins and legend Charlotte Edwards put on a big stand, with the opener crossing her half-century and Edwards with a magnificent 105. However, as the theme of the match went, every time a batsman feels settled and comfortable, in came Jhulan Goswami – the fastest bowler in women’s cricket. She removed the English World Cup-winning captain and striking once again in a couple of overs to remove Jenny Gunn.
With England threatening to put more than a respectable target for the Indian batsmen after the disastrous first innings, Jhulan unleashed her might once again to pin the nails on the English coffin.
Ending the innings with 5/45, Jhulan Goswami became the first and as it stands, only Indian women’s cricket to take a 10-wicket haul, with outstanding match figures of 10/88.
With a small target of 98 onboard, the Indian girls had a breeze in the park, even allowing some youngsters to go up the order and get a feel of English conditions. With a good knock of 34 from Karu Jain and unbeaten innings from Mithali Raj, India sealed the win. This series would go on to write another chapter in history – when our girls won their first-ever Test series against England in England.
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