India and England shared the honors in a thrilling opening day of the historic first women’s Test at Lord’s, with the visitors posting 285 before reducing England to 21/1 at stumps on Friday.After England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt won the toss and elected to field, India looked well placed for a much bigger total thanks to impressive half-centuries from Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma. However, a late collapse ensured that England regained control before the end of the game.The hosts then negotiated 11 overs in fading light but lost opener Tammy Beaumont narrowly, leaving the match finely balanced on Day 2.
Mandhana sets the tone
India suffered a shaky start after losing Shafali Verma and Yastika Bhatia earlier, but Smriti Mandhana once again showed her class with a fluent innings of 83 off 108 balls. The left-hander was positive from the start, driving elegantly through the covers and punishing something over the top. She hit 11 fours and sixes as she stitched crucial partnerships that helped India recover from the early setbacks.Jemimah Rodrigues looked comfortable during her short stay, adding a valuable stand with Mandhana before throwing off a promising start.
Harmanpreet and Deepti save India
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur joined Mandhana to stabilize the innings with an important partnership of 89 runs. While Mandhana played the aggressor, Harmanpreet anchored the innings with a patient 58 off 121 deliveries, ensuring that India remained in a commanding position during the afternoon session.At 190/3, India looked set to cross the 350-run mark. But Mandhana’s dismissal changed the momentum dramatically.England’s spinners, led by Sophie Ecclestone, exploited the aging ball brilliantly. Ecclestone extracted a sharp turn and bounce to finish with 3/68, while debutant Mady Villiers made an immediate impact as India slipped from a position of strength.With wickets regularly falling around her, Deepti Sharma was producing a composed knock under pressure. The experienced all-rounder compiled a valuable 57 off 87 balls, hitting seven boundaries and guiding India to a competitive 285 before becoming the last batsman to fall in the 75th over.
England lose the opening wicket
England had just 11 overs to bowl before stumps and suffered an early setback when Kranti Gaud dismissed Tammy Beaumont for just two. Maia Bouchier looked assured during her unbeaten 17, while captain Heather Knight remained unbeaten on a wicket as England closed the day on 21/1, trailing India by 264 runs.
Short Score:
India: 285 all out in 74.5 overs (Smriti Mandhana 83, Harmanpreet Kaur 58, Deepti Sharma 57; Sophie Ecclestone 3/68, Issy Wong 2/41)England: 21/1 in 11 overs (Maia Bouchier 17*, Heather Knight 1*; Kranti Gaud 1/8)