Bristol: Shafali Verma missed on a well-deserved maiden Test century on debut, as India women are at 187/5 in the first innings at stumps on the second day in the one-off Test on Thursday. Replying to England women’s first innings’ 396/9 declared, India stitched a remarkable 167 runs for the first wicket before a middle-order collapse dampened all the spirits.
India women lost their last four wickets for just 16 runs to lose the superb launchpad provided by openers, Shafali Verma (96, 152b, 13×4, 2×6) and experienced Smriti Mandhana (78, 155b, 14×4). England women, however, came roaring back and captured five wickets in the third and final session. India women still trail by 209 runs. The follow-on mark is 247.
After Shafali Verma, who was unlucky to miss a century on debut, and Smiriti, not a single Indian batter entered double-digit scores. At close, Harmanpreet Kaur was batting on four and left-handed debutant Deepti Sharma was yet to open her account.
Experienced captain Mithali Raj managed two, Punam Raut also scored two, and Shikha Pandey failed to score. Credit is due to English bowlers who came back strongly towards the end of the day and wrested the initiative.
England women had earlier declared their first innings at just four runs shy of the 400-run mark. Sophia Dunkley remained unbeaten on 74 (127b), though the top scorer was captain Heather Knight with 95. Towards the end of the innings, Anya Shrubsole scored a brisk 47 not out including six boundaries and a six.
For India women, off-spinner Sneh Rana was the top wicket-taker with 4/131 and off-spinning all-rounder Deepti Sharma bagged 3/65.
Brief scores (Stumps, Day 2):
England Women 396/9 decl (Heather Knight 95, Sophia Dunkley 74*, Tammy Beaumont 66; Sneh Rana 4/131, Deepti Sharma 3/65); India Women 187/5 (Shafali Verma 96, Smriti Mandhana 78; Heather Knight 2/1). Match to continue.
