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In a captivating display of skill and determination, India Women dominated the first day of the one-off Test against Australia Women at Wankhede Stadium. The hosts, at first, showcased their prowess by dismantling the formidable Aussie batting order, restricting them to a meager total. The Indian bowlers exhibited precision and control, leaving the visitors struggling for runs. Subsequently, the Indian batters took center stage, crafting a solid and resilient beginning.
Australia’s sloppy show with the bat
Batting first, Australia disappointed the audience with their performance. Despite promising starts by their batters, including Tahlia McGrath‘s solid 50, Beth Mooney‘s 40 and Alyssa Healy‘s 38, the team struggled to convert these into substantial scores, resulting in their lowest total against India in Tests.
It appeared that the side would conclude below the 200 runs total, but a resilient effort from the tail-enders, particularly Kim Garth, who remained unbeaten on 28, added crucial runs in the final stretch. The guests eventually got all-out on 219 in 77.4 overs.
Pooja Vastrakar emerged as the standout bowler for India, showcasing an impressive performance with figures of 4/53 in her 16 overs, featuring two maidens. Sneh Rana contributed significantly with three wickets, while Deepti Sharma chipped in with a couple of scalps, collectively spearheading her side’s bowling effort.
Also READ – Twitter reactions: Fargana Hoque’s ton in vain as Anneke Bosch guides South Africa to series-levelling win over Bangladesh in 2nd Women’s ODI
India’s thumping batting display
Mentioning India’s batting, the opening duo of Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana exhibited a formidable partnership, amassing a commendable 90 runs for the first wicket. Shafali played a thunderous knock, contributing 40 runs before falling victim to Jess Jonassen. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side concluded the day on a strong note, posting 98 runs on the scoreboard for the loss of just one wicket, with Mandhana and Sneh at the crease.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
India's batters end the first day's play on a positive note 🏏
Scorecard: https://t.co/d2xsV2uaT1#women #cricket #INDvAUS #indiancricket #testcricket #CricketTwitter #WomenCricket pic.twitter.com/QfqnjIDZuK
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) December 21, 2023
Australia all out for 219. #INDvAUS
— A truthful man (@g_pro0305) December 21, 2023
One of the most important aspects of these two games for India has been Pooja Vastrakar comprehensively out bowling England and Australia's seamers.
— hypocaust (@_hypocaust) December 21, 2023
#TeamIndia off to a cracking start! 👌 👌
A quickfire 5⃣0⃣-run stand between vice-captain @mandhana_smriti & @TheShafaliVerma 🤝
Follow the Match ▶️ https://t.co/8qTsM8XSpd #INDvAUS | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/oPTbPWv2Hn
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) December 21, 2023
Best Bowling Figures by an Indian Pacers in an Inning of Home Women's Test
6/9 : Gargi Banerjee vs 🇳🇿, 1985
5/25 : Jhulan Goswami vs 🏴, 2005
4/47 : Shashi Gupta vs 🇦🇺, 1984
4/53 : Shashi Gupta vs 🇦🇺, 1984
𝟰/𝟱𝟯 : Pooja Vastrakar vs 🇦🇺, TODAY**#INDWvAUSW #INDvAUS #INDvsAUS— Kishan Kishor (@itskishankishor) December 21, 2023
India Women bowled Out Australia W on the 1st Day itself. Superb bowling performance. Sneh Rana & Deepti as usual too good.!#INDvsAUS #INDWvAUSW
— Prajakta Pathak (@PrajaktaPatha14) December 21, 2023
Pooja Vastrakar picked up 2 wickets in 2 balls.
What a beautiful delivery to get the wicket of Nat Sciver-Brunt on golden duck. pic.twitter.com/kUqQatkpx2
— Cricket is Love ❤ (@cricketfan__) December 16, 2023
Mitchell Starc's post for Alyssa Healy.
– They're couple goals…!!!! pic.twitter.com/abwyHi45jV
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 21, 2023
Smriti Mandhana. That's the tweet.
— ebrahim 🇵🇸 (@GalacticoWrld) December 21, 2023
Jonassen gets a great ball through Shafali Verma's defences, out lbw, India 90/1. Sneh Rana the nightwatcher
— Rick Eyre on cricket (@rickeyrecricket) December 21, 2023