The India women’s cricket team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, completed a famous 270-run win over hosts England in the one-off Test at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground on Monday. This was the first-ever women’s Test match at Lord’s, and India capped off the occasion in style.
Looking to chase down a total of 457, England were all out for just 186 in 62.5 overs.
The win helped the India women’s team extend their unbeaten Test record on English soil. The India women’s team have played 10 Tests on English soil so far, winning three matches and drawing seven.
What happened in England women vs India women one-off Test
Coming to the one-off Test at Lord’s, England won the toss and opted to field first. India were off to a forgettable start, losing Shafali Verma and Yastika Bhatia within the first 10 overs.
However, Smriti Mandhana put up a valiant effort with a knock of 83 from 108 balls, hitting 11 fours and one six. She forged a 64-run partnership with Jemimah Rodrigues (35) and followed it up with an 89-run stand with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (58). Deepti Sharma, too, did her part with a knock of 57. However, a lower-order collapse meant that India were all out for 285.
In their first innings reply, England were completely outplayed. Amy Jones’ knock of 52 and skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt’s 44 were the only positives for the hosts as they were bowled out for 170. Kranti Gaud was the pick of India’s bowlers with figures of 5/37.
This meant that India had a 115-run lead going into their second innings. India’s second innings was headlined by Yastika Bhatia, who scored her maiden Test century. Apart from Yastika, Mandhana (70) and Richa Ghosh (50*) stepped up to take India to 341/7, a total that they declared on.
This meant that England were set a target of 487. However, what followed was a huge batting collapse. Amy Jones once again played a crucial knock, scoring 54 runs from 80 balls, whereas Sophie Ecclestone scored 50 runs from 66 balls.
Barring this duo, there was nothing much to takeaway from England’s batting as Sneh Rana caused most of the damage with figures of 4/42.
Kranti Gaud was named the Player of the Match for her figures of 5/37. She said that she feels proud to have added her name to the Lord’s honours board.
“I feel extremely proud, and so does my family. I want to thank everyone – my coaches, my seniors, and everyone who has supported me throughout this journey,” she said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
India suffered a 2-1 T20I series loss to England in the series prior to this, but skipper Harmanpreet Kaur was proud to take some good memories back to India.
She also thanked head coach Amol Mazumdar and the support staff for uniting the team.
“The way our support staff kept us together, that is something to watch. Again, I want to give credit to Amol sir and the entire support staff. They kept us together.
“I know the summer in England didn’t go the way we wanted, but we came back strongly in the Test match. I’m really happy that we’re taking some good memories back home now,” she said.