Smriti Mandhana struck a sparkling 83 as India dominated day one of the first women’s Test ever staged at Lord’s, reaching 282 for eight in the evening session after England sent them in.
According to ESPNcricinfo, Mandhana brought up her half-century from just 50 balls — the first fifty in a women’s Test at the ground — after England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt won the toss and chose to field. Lauren Filer removed Shafali Verma for a duck in the second over, but Jemimah Rodrigues added a brisk 35 before India went to lunch at 122 for three.
The occasion, the 153rd women’s Test and the first staged at the home of cricket, featured three debutants: England pair Alice Capsey and Mady Villiers, and India spinner Shree Charani. ESPNcricinfo reported more than 30,000 tickets had been sold before the match.
Harmanpreet Kaur And Deepti Sharma Build On Historic Lord’s Test Start
Mandhana’s hopes of a landmark century ended on 83 when Issy Wong found her edge and Amy Jones held the catch behind the stumps with India 190 for four. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur ground out 58 before Villiers claimed a maiden Test wicket by bowling her at the stroke of tea.
Deepti Sharma then counter-attacked with an unbeaten half-century off 70 balls, while Wong, Filer and Villiers each took two wickets for England. With Tammy Beaumont’s Lord’s farewell still to come with the bat, England will need early strikes on day two of the historic Lord’s Test to stay in this contest.
