Mandhana's 83 anchors India but late collapse hands England momentum at Lord's
India's women's cricket team posted a competitive first-innings total of 285 on the opening day of the one-off Test at Lord's, but a dramatic late collapse allowed England to claw back into the contest. After reaching 189/3 in 44 overs, India lost six wickets for 96 runs to be bowled out in 74.5 overs.
The architect of India's recovery after early setbacks was Smriti Mandhana, who scored a fluent 83. Coming in at 24/2 after Shafali Verma and Yastika Bhatia fell cheaply, Mandhana combined patience with her trademark strokeplay. She drove crisply through cover, pulled confidently, and even slog-swept Sophie Ecclestone for six. She added 64 runs with Jemimah Rodrigues (35) and then 89 runs with captain Harmanpreet Kaur.
Mandhana seemed destined for a century, but a disciplined spell from Issy Wong, who bowled around the wicket, tempted her into a drive away from the body. Mandhana edged to wicketkeeper Amy Jones for 83, falling 17 runs short of her hundred. Her innings, however, gave India a strong platform.
Harmanpreet Kaur, despite needing treatment on her left arm and later her hamstring, battled to a composed 58. She controlled the innings after Mandhana's dismissal, rotating strike and punishing loose deliveries. She was eventually bowled by debutant Mady Villiers while attempting an ambitious drive.
India then wobbled, losing quick wickets, but Deepti Sharma (57) brought stability with a patient knock, taking on the spinners with authoritative sweeps and drives. She added a valuable stand with Sneh Rana before falling to Ecclestone while trying to accelerate with the tail. England's Sophie Ecclestone finished with 3/68.
England's reply began cautiously. Openers Tammy Beaumont and Maia Bouchier faced disciplined new-ball bowling from Sayali Satghare and Kranti Gaud. Gaud trapped Beaumont lbw with one that jagged back. At stumps, England were 21/1 in 11 overs, trailing by 264 runs, with Bouchier unbeaten on 13.
Brief Scores: India 285 all out in 74.5 overs (Smriti Mandhana 83, Harmanpreet Kaur 58, Deepti Sharma 57; Sophie Ecclestone 3/68) vs England 21/1 in 11 overs (Maia Bouchier 13*; Kranti Gaud 1/5).
