The IND W vs AUS W one-off Test has all the ingredients of a classic. The Indian batters largely dominated the Australian bowling on Day Two of the Test, putting India in a commanding position. At stumps on Day Two, India managed a score 376/7. Harmanpreet Kaur’s team led Australia by 157 runs.
On day one of the Test, India produced a dominant display to bowl Australia out for 219. India finished day One at 98 for 1, with Smriti Mandhana and Sneh Rana at the crease.
On Day Two, Sneh Rana and Smriti Mandhana added 42 runs before Sneh Raha was sent back to the pavillion by Aussie off-spinner Ashleigh Gardner. Gardner pitched a ball up for Rana who missed the line completely and was bowled. Mandhana, who was playing well, departed a few overs later in a run-out that is sure to frustrate the Southpaw. A confusion with debutant Richa Ghosh in the middle of the pitch proved to be Mandhana’s doom as she was run out. The left-handed batter departed after playing a fantastic innings of 74.
From then onwards, Richa Ghosh and Jemimah Rodrigues stitched together a partnership of 113 runs. The partnership ensured India had a well-deserved lead. Debutant Richa Ghosh smashed her maiden half-century. She looked to add some quick runs but lost her wicket in the process as she was caught at deep square-leg.
India’s mini-collapse
Richa Ghosh’s wicket started a mini-collapse. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur departed cheaply on a duck, trapped in front of the stumps by Ashleigh Gardner. Wicketkeeper Yastika Bhatia only lasted seven balls, as Gardner picked up his third wicket.
On the other end, Jemimah Rodrigues looked all set to score a ton but departed trying to play a lofted shot over covers. India only led by 50 odd runs at the time with three wickets in hand.
India steady the ship
The game could’ve turned either way if the Aussies managed to get the last three wickets quickly. But tail enders Deepti Sharma and Pooja Vastrakar had other plans. The duo complemented each other to take India’s lead past the 150-run mark at the end of Day Two. Deepti remained not out on 70 while Pooja was batting on 33.
Off-spinner Ashleigh Gardner was the pick of the Australian bowlers, picking up four crucial wickets in the form of Jemimah Rodrigues, Sneh Rana, Harmanpreet Kaur and Yastika Bhatia.
Editors pick
