Only Test, Day Two: India 285 & 154-1; England 170
India have established a commanding position in their one-off Test match after dismissing England for 170 and closing the day at 154 for one, leading by 269 runs. The 22-year-old fast bowler Kranti Gaud showcased exceptional skill in red-ball cricket, finishing with figures of five wickets for 37 runs. Her precise line and length, combined with effective wobble seam bowling, left England struggling at 47 for four.
This match marks Gaud’s second Test appearance, following her debut at the WACA against Australia in March. She has now made history as the first woman to have her name engraved on the Lord’s Test honours board.
Smriti Mandhana has the opportunity to join Gaud on the honours board on Sunday after scoring her second half-century of the match, ending the day unbeaten on 69. The vitality of women’s Test cricket was evident with a record crowd of 15,432 spectators attending on a single day, the highest ever for a women’s Test. However, as the evening session progressed, the intensity of the contest diminished.
India capitalized on the fatigue of the England fielders: Shafali Verma aggressively scored 13 runs off Sophie Ecclestone’s first over, while Smriti Mandhana pulled multiple short deliveries from Lauren Filer to the boundary. Yastika Bhatia advanced confidently down the pitch to drive Mady Villiers for four and remained not out on 39 after a rare missed stumping opportunity by Amy Jones.
Test cricket remains challenging when played infrequently, as England’s innings fluctuated between aggressive attempts and defensive caution. Amy Jones reached a half-century off 59 balls and appeared poised to deliver a significant innings to compensate for her recent low scores in the World Cup. However, shortly before lunch, she was caught by Richa Ghosh at short-leg. In the afternoon, Lauren Bell and Issy Wong combined for a 22-ball partnership without scoring.
Interestingly, debutant Mady Villiers appeared the most composed despite facing fielders equipped with helmets, an unusual experience for her. She played a patient and technically sound innings, scoring 10 runs off 33 balls before being dismissed by a flighted, turning delivery from Sneh Rana that bowled her through the gate.
The tone of the day was set early on when, after a solitary over of left-arm spin from Shree Charani, India’s seamers Gaud and Sayali Satghare collaborated to dismantle England’s top order.
Gaud claimed two wickets: Maia Bouchier was caught by the wicketkeeper after edging a high ball, and debutant Alice Capsey was bowled after playing a forward defensive shot in the wrong line, resulting in her off-stump being uprooted.
India missed an opportunity to dismiss Heather Knight on Friday evening when Gaud struck her pads but the appeal was not reviewed. Knight, who has scored two Test centuries of 150 or more, was given a reprieve. However, Sayali Satghare later trapped Knight lbw, and although Knight reviewed the decision, replays confirmed the ball would have clipped leg stump.
England managed to avoid the follow-on, but considering the significant turn generated by Sneh Rana, batting on day four, if the match extends that far, will likely be difficult.
