Australia have a mountain to climb to save the one-off Test at Wankhede Stadium after an unbroken 102-run stand between Deepti Sharma and Pooja Vastrakar lifted India to 7-376 at stumps on day two.
Sharma (70 not out) and Vastrakar (33no) came together just before tea in Mumbai on Friday on the back of a 4-14 collapse which had India 7-274 in reply to Australia’s 219.
The strike-bowling pair showcased their batting abilities with career-best scores to render Australia wicketless in the final session, pushing India’s lead to an imposing 157 runs.
Just before tea, Ash Gardner (4-100) single-handedly dragged Australia back into the contest, the first Test between these two teams on Indian soil since 1984 when a four-match series was drawn nil-all.
With India cruising at 3-260, Gardner’s catch at deep square leg to dismiss well-set debutant Richa Ghosh (52) triggered a flurry of wickets.
Gardner then struck twice in as many overs with balls that kept low, trapping India captain Harmanpreet Kaur (0) and wicketkeeper Yastika Bhatia (one) lbw.
Then came the big scalp of the brilliant Jemimah Rodrigues (72), who speared Gardner to Annabel Sutherland in the covers to have India 7-274.
Australia threatened to roll the home side in the final session but they had no answers for Sharma’s class and Vastrakar’s heart, the duo leaving India well-placed to notch their first-ever win over Australia in women’s Tests.
Opener Smriti Mandhana top-scored with an attacking 74 before being run out before lunch.
On Thursday, new vice-captain Tahlia McGrath (50 off 56 balls), captain Alyssa Healy (38) and tail-ender Kim Garth (28no) were the only Australian batters to impress against a potent Indian attack led by seamer Vastrakar, who took a career-best 4-53.
Sportstragic
Roar Rookie
Totally agree. Some strange bowling changes. i watched a fair bit of yesterday and couldn’t understand the bowling plan or changes. Not going to watch any today due to my frustration yesterday but i wish them all the best
Blink
Roar Rookie
Gotta agree. A Wellington looks to be Australias best leg spinner if not bowler but the selectors do not like her. Its hard to watch Perry getting bowled middle stump by a pretty straight ball that came back marginally then she drops a straight forward catch for one of her calibre. Next ball goes straight between T McGraths legs somehow for a boundary. It all looks so out of character for this once great team. It will take something special to get out of this mess. Similarly its amazing what confidence has done for the Indian woman. They're playing like winners which I haven't seen before. Their quick Vastrakar seems to have changed the mindset of the team.
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
Yeah, Skipper Healy is certainly no Lanning.
Damo
Roar Rookie
I watched a fair bit yesterday. There was some bizarre tactics and decision making going on. I don't think they were tactically prepared at all.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Strange isn't it?
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
How is it our specialist spin bowler, King,only bowls 10 overs while our all-rounder, Gardner, is flogged in bowling 38 overs? Did the selectors not pick the right spinner that is up to the job? After outshining King in the WBBL, Amanda Jade Wellington should’ve been given a test cap.