Indian blend Yastika Bhatia (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
India’s women moved to the brink of a historic first Test victory at Lord’s after a dominant third day, buoyed by Yastika Bhatia’s record-breaking first century before the bowlers reduced England to 130/6 in pursuit of an improbable target of 457 runs.With just four wickets separating them from scripting history in the Home of Cricket, Harmanpreet Kaur’s side finished the day firmly in control despite spirited lower-order resistance from Amy Jones and Mady Villiers.
Yastika is writing history in the house of cricket
As Day 3 resumed with a healthy first innings lead, India continued to advance despite England enjoying a better opening session with the ball. Lauren Bell removed Smriti Mandhana (70) early before also dismissing Jemima Rodrigues.
Sophie Ecclestone then trapped Harmanpreet Kaur lbw as England briefly forced their way into the contest.However, Yastika Bhatia remained unfazed. Showing great composure and elegant playing style, the left-hander brought up her maiden Test century to become the first ever woman to get 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 she lacked support at the other end as India continued to dominate.
Richa Ghosh provides fireworks late
After Bhatia’s departure, wicketkeeper-batsman Richa Ghosh injected fresh impetus into the innings with an unbeaten fast 50 off 52 balls, taking the attack to the England bowlers. With India’s lead swelling beyond 450, captain Harmanpreet Kaur declared the innings at 341/7, leaving England with a huge target of 457 runs to survive or be chased.
Indian pacers are breaking into the top order in England
India’s bowlers wasted little time in tightening their grip on the contest.Debutants Kranti Goud and Sayali Satgari produced another impressive spell off the new ball, removing openers Tammy Beaumont and Maya Bouchier inside the opening four. Beaumont’s dismissal also marked the end of her international career, while former captain Heather Knight, who played her last Test before retiring, was later dismissed by Kranti Goud and received a touching guard of honor from the Indian team during her exit.England’s woes deepened when Sneh Rana bowled Nat Scheffer-Brunt beautifully before Sialli cut through Alice Kapsi’s defence, reducing the home side to 59/5.
Jones, Villiers delay the inevitable
And when India looked set to wrap up the match on the third night itself, Amy Jones and Maddy Villiers put up a determined fight. The duo put together a resilient 67-run partnership, thwarting the Indian attack and briefly keeping England’s hopes alive.The stand was eventually broken in stunning fashion as Richa Ghosh made a stunning catch from close range at ridiculous point to dismiss Villiers off the bowling of Sneh Rana. Jones continued to fight back, hitting a brave half-century, but England still finished the day in deep trouble at 130/6, requiring a further 327 runs with only four wickets in hand.
