India and England shared the honours on an engrossing opening day of the historic first-ever 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 chose to field, India appeared 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 England regained control before the close of play.The hosts then negotiated 11 overs in fading light but lost opener Tammy Beaumont cheaply, leaving the match finely balanced heading into Day 2.
Mandhana sets the tone
India endured a shaky start after losing Shafali Verma and Yastika Bhatia early, but Smriti Mandhana once again showcased her class with a fluent innings of 83 off 108 balls. The left-hander was positive from the outset, driving elegantly through the covers and punishing anything overpitched. She struck 11 fours and a six while stitching together crucial partnerships that helped India recover from the early setbacks.Jemimah Rodrigues looked comfortable during her brief stay, adding a valuable stand with Mandhana before throwing away a promising start.
Harmanpreet and Deepti rescue India
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur then joined Mandhana to steady the innings with an important 89-run partnership. While Mandhana played the aggressor, Harmanpreet anchored the innings with a patient 58 off 121 deliveries, ensuring India remained in a commanding position through the afternoon session.At 190/3, India looked set to cross the 350-run mark. But Mandhana’s dismissal shifted the momentum dramatically.England’s spinners, led by Sophie Ecclestone, exploited the ageing ball brilliantly. Ecclestone extracted 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 falling regularly around her, Deepti Sharma produced a composed knock under pressure. The experienced all-rounder compiled a valuable 57 from 87 balls, striking seven boundaries and guiding India to a competitive 285 before becoming the last batter to fall in the 75th over.
England lose early wicket
England had only 11 overs to negotiate 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 one as England closed the day on 21/1, trailing India by 264 runs.
Brief Scores:
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)
