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Australia's Pacers Dominate Pink-Ball Test, India Reeling at 99/4

Australia's formidable pace attack seized control on the first day of the historic pink-ball Test at the WACA, reducing India to a precarious 99/4 at tea. Debutant Lucy Hamilton claimed her maiden Test wicket by dismissing Smriti Mandhana, while Annabel Sutherland led the attack with two crucial scalps. Despite a brisk 35 from Shafali Verma, India's batters struggled against disciplined bowling and late movement. Jemimah Rodrigues and Deepti Sharma remain at the crease, tasked with rebuilding the innings against a dominant Australian side.

Key Points: Australia Reduce India to 99/4 in Women's Pink-Ball Test

  • Australia's pace attack dominates
  • India's top order collapses
  • Annabel Sutherland takes 2-26
  • Historic pink-ball Test at WACA
  • Alyssa Healy's final international
2 min read

Pink-ball Test: Pacers make early inroads as Australia reduce India to 99/4 at tea

Australia's pace attack, led by Annabel Sutherland, dismantles India's top order, leaving them at 99/4 at tea on Day 1 of the historic pink-ball Test.

"The disciplined Australian attack... ensured the hosts remained firmly in control. - Match Report"

Perth, March 6

Australia's pace attack ripped through India's top order in the opening session of the one-off pink-ball Test at the WACA Ground, as the hosts left the visitors reeling at 99/4 in 27 overs at tea on Friday.

Jemimah Rodrigues (15 not out) and Deepti Sharma (4 not out) are still at the crease for India. But the disciplined Australian attack - led by Annabel Sutherland's 2-26, debutant Lucy Hamilton's 1-23, and Darcie Brown's 1-33 - ensured the hosts remained firmly in control of the proceedings in what is also the final international game of Alyssa Healy.

India's innings began shakily after Smriti Mandhana survived a probing first over from Darcie Brown. She looked shaky before being undone in the sixth over by Lucy, who claimed her maiden Test wicket with a sharp nip-backer that castled the India vice-captain through the gate.

Shafali Verma looked positive by hitting six boundaries in making 35 off 48 balls, before edging Annabel behind to Beth Mooney while playing a drive sans footwork. Debutant Pratika Rawal looked scratchy in her 18 off 43 balls and was dismissed after drinks when she slashed at a wide delivery from Sutherland, only to be caught at gully.

India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur attempted to counterattack with four boundaries but was beaten by late movement from Dracie that breached her defence and bowled her for 19. Jemimah got a thick edge off Lucy for four to begin her stay at the crease, before presenting full face of the bat past mid-on to get a boundary and end a session where India failed to show the patience needed for surviving the rigours of Test match cricket.

Brief Scores: India 99/4 in 27 overs (Shafali Verma 35, Harmanpreet Kaur 19; Annabel Sutherland 2-26, Lucy Hamilton 1-23) against Australia

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Watching from Melbourne. The pink ball under lights is a different beast. Indian batters seemed to be playing too many shots early. Test cricket is about leaving well outside off stump, especially in Perth. The lack of footwork against the moving ball is concerning.
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Priya S
Feeling for Harmanpreet! She tried to take the attack to them but got a beauty. The debutant Lucy Hamilton looks a real talent. Our batters need to dig deep – remember the fight they showed in England? It's not over yet. Deepti Sharma can bat time. #Believe
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Rohit P
Yaar, 99/4 is a worrying scorecard. The technique against the moving ball needs work. We play so much white-ball cricket that the temperament for Test cricket seems missing. A respectful criticism – the team management must prioritize longer format skills. Still, all is not lost!
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Michael C
Sutherland and Brown are a formidable pair. The wicket of Mandhana early was crucial. India's batting lacks the solidity of their male counterparts in Test cricket. They need a Pujara-like anchor in these conditions.
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Kavya N
Come on, girls! We've seen you fight back from worse situations. Jemimah has a good head on her shoulders. Just bat session by session. The new ball will do its thing, then it might get easier. Don't give up! 🇮🇳💪

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