India and England shared the honors in an entertaining opening day in the women’s historic first 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-positioned for a 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 end of the game.The hosts then negotiated 11 overs in fading light but lost opener Tammy Beaumont cheaply, leaving the game well 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 again showed her class with a brilliant innings of 83 off 108 balls. The left-hander was positive from the start, elegantly driving the covers and punishing any excess. He hit 11 fours and a six while putting together crucial partnerships that helped India recover from early setbacks.Jemimah Rodrigues looked comfortable in her short stay, adding a valuable stand with Mandhana before discarding a good start.
Harmanpreet and Deepti saved India
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur then joined Mandhana to take the innings forward with a crucial 89-run partnership. While Mandhana played the aggressor, Harmanpreet anchored the innings with a patient 58 off 121 deliveries, ensuring that India remained in a commanding position till the afternoon session.At 190/3, India looked to cross the 350-run mark. But Mandhana’s dismissal changed the momentum.England’s spinners, led by Sophie Ecclestone, are taking advantage of the aging ball. Ecclestone took a sharp turn and bounced back to finish with 3/68, while debutant Mady Villiers made an immediate impact as India slipped from a position of strength.With wickets constantly falling around her, Deepti Sharma produced a composed knock under pressure. The experienced all-rounder mustered a valuable 57 off 87 balls, hitting seven boundaries and guiding India to a competitive 285 before becoming the last batter to fall in the 75th over.
England lost an early wicket
England had just 11 overs to go 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.
Short 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)