India Women moved to the brink of a historic maiden Test win at Lord’s after a dominant third day, powered by Yastika Bhatia’s record-breaking maiden century before the bowlers reduced England to 130/6 in pursuit of an impossible 457-run target.With just four wickets separating them from writing history at the Home 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 the history of the House of Cricket
Continuing Day 3 with a healthy first-innings lead, India continued to pile on the runs even as England enjoyed a better session with the opening ball. Lauren Bell dismissed Smriti Mandhana (70) early before Jemimah Rodrigues was also dismissed. Sophie Ecclestone then caught Harmanpreet Kaur lbw as England briefly clawed their way back into the contest.However, Yastika Bhatia remains undaunted. 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 battled tirelessly and completed her fourth five-wicket haul in Women’s Tests, but lacked support from the other end as India continued to dominate.
Richa Ghosh gives late fireworks
After Bhatia’s departure, wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh injected fresh momentum into the innings with a powerful unbeaten 50 off 52 balls, leading the England bowlers onslaught. With India’s lead swelling past 450, captain Harmanpreet Kaur declared the innings at 341/7, leaving England with a mammoth 457-run target to survive or chase.
The Indian pacers destroyed England’s top order
India’s bowlers wasted little time in tightening their grip on the competition.Debutants Kranti Gaud and Sayali Satghare produced another outstanding new-ball spell, removing openers Tammy Beaumont and Maia Bouchier within the opening four overs. Beaumont’s dismissal also marked the end of her international career, while former captain Heather Knight, playing her last 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 worsened when Sneh Rana bowled Nat Sciver-Brunt with a beauty before Sayali broke through Alice Capsey’s defence, reducing the hosts to 59/5.
Jones, Villiers delayed the inevitable
Just when India looked ready to wrap up the match on the third night itself, Amy Jones and Mady Villiers clashed. The duo put together a solid 67-run partnership, thwarting the Indian attack and briefly keeping England’s hopes alive.The stand was eventually broken in spectacular fashion as Richa Ghosh pulled off a stunning close-in catch at silly point to dismiss Villiers off the bowling of Sneh Rana. Jones continued his fightback, bringing up a blistering half-century, but England still ended the day in deep trouble at 130/6, needing another 327 runs with just four wickets in hand.