India Women moved to the brink of a historic maiden Test victory at Lord’s after a dominant third day, powered by Yastika Bhatia’s record-breaking century before the bowlers reduced England to 130/6 in search of an improbable 457-run target.With just four wickets separating them from writing history at the House of Cricket, Harmanpreet Kaur’s side ended the day firmly in control despite a spirited lower order resistance from Amy Jones and Mady Villiers.
Yastika writes history at the House of Cricket
In summary on Day 3 with a healthy first innings lead, India continued to pile on the runs despite England enjoying a better opening session with the ball. Lauren Bell removed Smriti Mandhana (70) before also sending back Jemimah Rodrigues. Sophie Ecclestone then trapped Harmanpreet Kaur lbw as England briefly clawed their way back into the contest.However, Yastika Bhatia remained unmoved. Showing remarkable composure and elegant strokeplay, 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 spinner Sophie Ecclestone batted tirelessly and completed her fourth five-wicket haul in Women’s Tests but lacked support at the other end as India continued to dominate.
Richa Ghosh provides the late fireworks
After Bhatia’s departure, wicketkeeper-batsman Richa Ghosh injected fresh momentum into the innings with an unbeaten 50 in 52 balls, bringing the onslaught to the English bowlers. With India swelling past 450, captain Harmanpreet Kaur declared the innings at 341/7, leaving England with a mammoth 457-run target to survive or chase.
Indian pacers tore apart England’s top order
India’s bowlers wasted little time in strengthening their grip on the contest.Debutant Kranti Gaud and Sayali Satghare produced another outstanding new-ball spell, removing openers Tammy Beaumont and Maia Bouchier in the opening four overs. Beaumont’s dismissal also marked the end of his international career, while former captain Heather Knight, playing her final Test before retirement, was later dismissed by Kranti Gaud and received a touching guard of honor from the Indian team as she departed.England’s problems intensified when Sneh Rana bowled Nat Sciver-Brunt with a beauty before Sayali breached Alice Capsey’s defence, reducing the hosts to 59/5.
Jones, Villiers delay the inevitable
When India looked set to wrap up the match in the third evening itself, Amy Jones and Mady Villiers put together a determined comeback. The duo put together a resilient 67-run partnership, frustrating the Indian attack and briefly keeping England’s hopes alive.The stand was eventually broken in spectacular fashion as Richa Ghosh pulled a stunning close catch at silly point to dismiss Villiers off the bowling of Sneh Rana. Jones continued his resilience, bringing up a gritty half-century, but England still ended the day in deep trouble at 130/6, needing a further 327 runs with just four wickets in hand.