India Women edged to a first Test win at Lord’s after winning on day three, led by Yastika Bhatia who smashed a record century before reducing England to 130/6 to set a 457-run target.With just four wickets separating them from scripting history at the Home of Cricket, Harmanpreet Kaur’s side finished the day in command despite Amy Jones and Mady Villiers’ refusal.
Yastika makes history at the House of Cricket
Resuming Day 3 with a good start, India continued to run despite England enjoying the opening session with the ball. Lauren Bell removed Smriti Mandhana (70) early before dismissing Jemimah Rodrigues. Sophie Ecclestone then trapped Harmanpreet Kaur lbw as England pulled a narrow margin back into the contest.However, Yastika Bhatia was undaunted. In a remarkable display of composure and a bit of drama, the left-hander brought up her maiden Test Century to become the first woman to score a Test hundred at Lord’s. Her memorable knock of 113 off 158 balls also became the highest score by an Indian woman in the third or fourth innings of a Test match.England all-rounder Sophie Ecclestone battled tirelessly to finish with her fourth five-wicket haul in the Women’s Test, but lacked support from the other end as India continued to dominate.
Richa Ghosh gives the shots late
After Bhatia’s departure, bowler Richa Ghosh powered into the innings with an unbeaten 50 off 52 balls, which led to the onslaught of England’s bowlers. With India’s lead over 450, captain Harmanpreet Kaur declared the innings at 341/7, leaving England with a formidable target of 457 to survive or chase.
Indian pacers are taking leaps and bounds in England
Indian bowlers wasted little time in building their strength in the tournament.Opener Kranti Gaud and Sayali Satghare bowled yet another famous ball, removing openers Tammy Beaumont and Maia Bouchier within the opening four overs. Beaumont’s dismissal also marked the end of her international career, while former captain Heather Knight, playing her last Test before retirement, was later dismissed by Kranti Gaud and received a moving tribute from the Indian team as she departed.England’s woes deepened when Sneh Rana bowled Nat Sciver-Brunt with a beauty before Sayali destroyed Alice Capsey’s defence, reducing the hosts to 59/5.
Jones, Villiers delay the inevitable
While India looked set to wrap up the game on the third night itself, Amy Jones and Mady Villiers fought back with determination. The pair put on a solid 67-run stand, which frustrated the Indian attack and kept England’s hopes alive.The stand was spectacularly broken when Richa Ghosh pulled off a stunning over to remove Villiers off the bowling of Sneh Rana. Jones continued to resist, bringing up a gritty half-century, but England still ended the day in dire straits on 130/6, needing another 327 runs with just four wickets in hand.