INDW vs AUSW: India Women gets off to an impressive start in the Wankhede Test
Alyssa Healy’s aspirations of initiating a new era for Australia under her captaincy by batting with resilience were effectively foiled by the Indian bowlers on the unpredictable surface at the Wankhede. Despite Healy winning the toss and opting to bat first, the top order faltered, facing consistent breakthroughs from the Indian team. In the final session, Australia was dismissed for 219. To compound their challenges, Indian openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma commenced their innings briskly, guiding the hosts to 98/1 by stumps.
India experienced a fortuitous start to the morning when Beth Mooney and Phoebe Litchfield had a communication breakdown, resulting in Litchfield’s run-out in the first over. In the second over, Pooja Vastrakar dismissed Ellyse Perry, replicating her success from the previous week against Natalie Sciver-Brunt. Tahlia McGrath adopted a counterattacking approach, benefiting from the width offered by the Indian quicks. However, Sneh Rana put an end to McGrath’s fifty with a well-timed catch at mid-wicket.
Mooney and Healy aimed to reach lunch unscathed, but Vastrakar returned to dismiss Mooney for 40 with a cleverly angled short ball. Australia’s recovery was led by their skipper and Annabel Sutherland, but Deepti Sharma’s dismissal of Healy slowed their progress. Vastrakar’s return to the attack further disrupted Australia’s innings, accounting for the wickets of Sutherland and Ashleigh Gardner.
India, having claimed four wickets in each of the first two sessions, faced resilience from Australia’s ninth-wicket pair, Kim Garth and Jess Jonassen. Despite the chirpy close-in fielders urging for one more wicket, Jonassen resisted for nearly 15 overs before being adjudged leg before wicket by Deepti Sharma. Australia’s innings concluded with Lauren Cheatle attempting a big shot off Rana but mistiming it to Mandhana at mid-off.
India capitalized on their advantage as Mandhana and Shafali made an aggressive start with boundaries flowing effortlessly. Shafali’s dismissal for 40, trapped leg before wicket by Jonassen, provided a minor relief for Australia. However, India closed the day strong at 98/1, with Mandhana continuing her solid innings at 43*.
image source: indiatoday