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IND-W vs AUS-W Test | Pooja Vastrakar Shines As India Put AUS On Backfoot On Day 1

image-lqf4zd7pIndian women cricket team (X.com)

Brief Scores: AUS Women (1st Innings): 219-10 (77.4 Ovs) [ Tahila McGrath 50(56), Beth Mooney 40(94); Pooja Vastrakar 4/53 (16), Sneh Rana 3/56 (22.4)] lead IND Women (1st Innings): 98-1 (19 Overs) [ Shafali Verma 40(59), Smriti Mandhana 43* (49); Lauren Cheatle 0/12 (4), Jess Jonassen 1/4 (2)] by 121 runs.

Australian Women were demolished by Indian bowlers after they opted to bat first during the lone test between the two sides. India women ended day 1 on the drivers seat with 98 runs on board at the loss of one wicket.

Pooja Vastrakar Rips Australian Top Order

After defeating the mighty English women, the Indian women's cricket team hosted the Australian women's squad for a lone test at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium.

In a high-stakes game, Aussie captain Alyssa Healy opted to bat first, but her decision backfired as India’s exceptional efforts in bowling and fielding triggered a top-order collapse.

The visitors lost opener Phoebe Litchfield to Diamond Duck over an unfortunate run-out. A rookie mistake eventually cost Phoebe her wicket. Later, Pooja Vastrakar capitalized on the momentum to remove Ellyse Perry cheaply through a peach delivery. A nip backer struck Perry’s stumps, thus marking the end of his short stay at the crease. 



Having said that, Tahila McGrath and Beth Mooney averted further damage by building a sturdy 50+ run partnership. However, moments before lunch, the duo lost their wickets, thus putting their side in jeopardy. At lunch, the Aussies were four wickets down with a mere 103 runs on board.

Meanwhile, the Indian side sensed an opening and came out all guns blazing post-lunch. Deepti Sharma sent dangerous Alyssa Healy packing shortly after lunch, thus triggering a lower-order collapse.

While a few dropped catches, fielding errors, and lucky reviews delayed Aussie’s complete collapse, the visitors were eventually bowled out for 219 runs, thus posting their lowest total against India in test cricket. 

Pooja Vastrakar was undoubtedly the star of the day, with four wickets to her name. Spinner Sneh Rana clipped three wickets, while Deepti Sharma settled for two dismissals. 


Indian Openers Lifts India In A Comfortable Position

With over 20 overs left for the day, Indian openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana stepped out to face Aussie bowlers. While the challenge was steep, the openers played aggressively and did not leave any room for a comeback for the visitors. 

Verma and Mandhana activated T20 mode to take Aussie bowlers head-on and maintained a handsome run rate of over 7 until the final five minutes to stumps, where Verma succumbed to Jess Jonassen in a plumb LBW dismissal. Fortunately, night watchman Sneh Rana survived the day and successfully averted further damage.

Regardless, the hosts have positioned themselves into the driver’s seat on day 1 of the lone test. The Indian innings will resume tomorrow morning on Day 2.