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In an eventful opening day of the solitary Test match of the multi-format series at the Wankhede Stadium, India Women showcased their prowess against Australia Women. Pooja Vastrakar’s superb bowling performance, claiming figures of 4/53, alongside Sneh Rana’s 3-56, bundled out Australia Women for 219. India Women then took charge, posting 98/1 at stumps.
Australia’s innings lasted 77.4 overs, boosted by Tahila McGrath’s brilliant counter-attacking half-century (50 off 56 balls). Beth Mooney contributed a steady 40, and skipper Alyssa Healy added 38, yet the rest of the lineup struggled against India’s bowling attack.
In response, India’s opening pair Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma played freely, amassing 90 runs for the first wicket. Verma’s 40 off 59 deliveries was laden with eight boundaries before she was dismissed. Mandhana continued her fine form, reaching 43 off 49 balls (8×4) at stumps, accompanied by Sneh Rana at four.
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The Indian batters, known for their aggressive play, maintained a rapid scoring pace against the Australian bowlers throughout the day. Captain Alyssa Healy rotated five bowlers, but none managed to significantly disrupt India’s openers.
India aims to capitalize further on their strong start by consolidating their position on the second day, looking to build a substantial lead against Australia Women, who are playing a Test in India after 40 years.
Earlier, Australia’s innings stumbled early as Phoebe Litchfield (0) was run out without scoring, followed by Ellyse Perry’s dismissal for four. However, Mooney and McGrath staged an 80-run partnership for the third wicket, with McGrath setting a record for the fastest Test fifty by an Australian woman batter off 52 balls.
Despite Australia’s occasional resistance, Vastrakar and Rana made crucial breakthroughs, dismantling the Australian lineup in intervals. Notably, Vastrakar’s adept bowling troubled the opposition consistently, claiming vital wickets across her four spells.
Rana contributed significantly, claiming the pivotal wicket of McGrath, while Pooja Sharma, a standout in India’s previous triumph against England, secured crucial dismissals, including that of Healy.
India’s fielding, however, encountered lapses, as four catches were dropped during Australia’s innings, preventing them from restricting the opponent’s total further.
The match’s first day witnessed India Women’s impressive performance, led by Vastrakar and Rana’s bowling brilliance and the formidable batting display from Mandhana and Verma.
-IANS
