England are facing an almighty battle to avoid defeat in the first-ever Women’s Test at Lord’s after India dominated day two of the four-day fixture.
The home side’s hopes of getting near, or or beyond, India’s first-innings 285 were shredded by collapses of 3-15 and 6-39 – and a superb five-wicket haul from Kranti Gaud (5-37) that was clinched via a stunning Shafali Verma catch – as they were rolled for 170.
India then extended their lead, which stood at 115 on first innings, to 269 by stumps after reaching 154-1, with Smriti Mandhana (69no) notching her second half-century of the game and the tourists in prime position to secure back-to-back Test wins over England after a 347-run demolition in Navi Mumbai back in December 2023.
England will need to create history to win the first-ever Women’s Test at Lord’s
England already need the highest run chase to win a Women’s Test – that remains the 198 Australia picked off against them during the 2011 Ashes – and the target could become monstrous with India having so much batting to come.
A crowd of 15,243 – a record for a day of a Women’s Test – saw India fire with bat and ball and England toil across both disciplines, although Lauren Bell (0-46) bowled well across a wicketless 11 overs, which included five maidens, having been loose on day one.
England have looked a little naïve in key moments – the way they have looked to bat and bowl. India have shown greater knowledge of the little details.
Sky Sports Cricket’s Nick Knight
Gaud’s relentless line and length has largely showed up the home seamers, while openers Mandhana and Verma (33) put on 88 for the tourists’ first wicket before Mandhana and Yastika Bhatia (39no) added an unbroken 66 for the second after Amy Jones fluffed the chance to stump Bhatia late in the day.
More to follow.
Watch day three of the standalone Women’s Test between England and India at Lord’s live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Mix from 10.30am on Sunday (11am first ball). Stream cricket and more contract-free with NOW.
