Considering the performances of the Indian women’s team in the last few Tests, a lot was expected from them in the one-off day-night Test against Australia in Perth. But then it was only a matter of losing the toss, and it felt like India was on the back foot throughout. After being put into bat, the visitors were bundled out for 198, while the Aussies were 96/3 at stumps on day 1. InsideSport takes a look at the main events that unfolded on the day.
Indian batters fail to capitalise on solid start
It was a decent start for Harmanpreet Kaur & Co. At one stage, the team was 54/1, with Shafali Verma batting at 35. Even though Smriti Mandhana failed to deliver, Shafali and Pratika Rawal added a few runs together. From there on, things only went downhill, as none of the batters could take the team out of a hole.
Jemimah Rodrigues gets another 50
Playing only her 4th Test, Jemimah Rodrigues got her fourth fifty in the format; that only goes to show she is soon becoming India’s most reliable batter. She now averages close to 60. But then she also got out at a time when the Indians needed a partnership, leaving the team at 150-7.
Harmanpreet Kaur fails in Tests again
It just feels that Test cricket is not the best format for Harmanpreet. As it is, there aren’t many Tests in women’s cricket — and the ones where she has played, she hasn’t fared very well. She was dismissed at 19, when a lot more was expected from her. As of now, she has only 1 fifty in her 7th Test and averages 24.
Debutant Lucy Hamilton rocks India
Perhaps the story of Indian batting could have been a little different had they not faced the tall left-arm pacer, Hamilton. The Indian batters were visibly uncomfortable with the angle the Aussie bowler created, who brought the ball back in quite consistently. She returned with figures of 3/31. Along with her, Annabel Sutherland had a field day too and bagged 4/46.
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