Perth, March 6 – Australia gained a significant advantage in the one-off pink-ball Test against India at the WACA Ground in Perth, ending the first day at 96/3 after India were bowled out for 198. This gave Australia a lead of 102 runs.
Captain Alyssa Healy, playing in her final international game, won the toss and opted to bowl first under scorching conditions. This proved to be a successful decision as Annabel Sutherland and Lucy Hamilton bowled with impressive control, taking 4-46 and 3-31 respectively, as India's batting lineup was dismissed.
Darcie Brown (2-41) and Ashleigh Gardner (1-39) also contributed to restricting India's scoring. For India, Jemimah Rodrigues scored a solid 52, but this was the only significant contribution, while debutant Kashvee Gautam added 34 not out in 54 balls.
India struggled to adapt to the demands of Test cricket, particularly given that this was their first game in this format since June 2024. Australia responded with a challenging innings, but faced difficulties under the lights. Sayali Satghare and Kranti Gaud reduced them to 58/3.
However, Ellyse Perry and Annabel Sutherland stabilized the innings with an unbroken partnership of 38, and gradually gained confidence against the Indian bowlers. Perry remained unbeaten on 43 off 62 balls, with seven boundaries.
Annabel followed up with 20 not out off 29 balls, also with three boundaries. Australia now needs to maintain their momentum to build a significant lead against India.
The final session began with Australia not conceding a boundary in the first four overs, before Annabel dismissed Sayali with a catch to Beth Mooney. Darcie Brown then completed India's innings at 198 after Kranti Gaud was caught at slip.
In response, Australia lost Georgia Redmayne early to an inswinging delivery from Sayali. Ellyse Perry then joined Phoebe Litchfield, and they drove Sayali through cover for boundaries. However, India struck again when Phoebe was dismissed for 9 off a catch by Jemimah Rodrigues at backward point off Kranti Gaud.
Skipper Alyssa Healy, playing in her final international game, received a standing ovation from the Perth crowd, but could not capitalize as she edged to Jemimah for 13. With Australia at 58/3, the Indian bowlers seemed to be gaining control, with Sayali and Kranti making the ball talk.
Ellyse Perry, however, continued to play confidently, driving and cutting with authority, while Annabel Sutherland dominated from the start, with her strong drives through extra cover and pull shots being particularly effective.
India continued to bowl at full pace until the final over, but Annabel and Ellyse managed to negotiate it comfortably. Previously, India's innings had started shakily after Smriti Mandhana had survived a probing over from Darcie Brown. She looked uncomfortable before being dismissed in the sixth over by Lucy Hamilton, who took her maiden Test wicket with a sharp ball that went through the gate.
Shafali Verma had a positive start, hitting six boundaries in her 35 off 48 balls, but edged Annabel behind to Beth Mooney. Debutant Pratika Rawal struggled 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's captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, attempted to accelerate with four boundaries, but was caught behind by Dracie after a thick edge.
Jemimah Rodrigues began her innings with a four off Lucy, before driving the ball through mid-on for a boundary. This session saw India struggling to maintain the patience needed for Test cricket.
The second session began with Australia losing Georgia Redmayne early to an inswinging delivery from Annabel Sutherland. Jemimah Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh then stitched together a promising 23-run stand in 62 balls.
However, this partnership was short-lived as Richa was dismissed by Ashleigh Gardner, and Jemimah reached her fifty in 52 balls.
Lucy Hamilton then dismissed Sneh Rana cheaply, completing a three-wicket haul on her debut. India's lower order survived a tense period, with Kashvee Gautam surviving on 16 before she was dropped by Beth Mooney, before both remained unbeaten at the close.
After that, though, Australia secured a convincing lead, and maintained their advantage in the final game of the multi-format series.
Brief Scores:
India 198 all out in 62.4 overs (Jemimah Rodrigues 52, Shafali Verma 35; Annabel Sutherland 4-46, Lucy Hamilton 3-31) lead Australia 96/3 in 27 overs (Ellyse Perry 43 not out, Annabel Sutherland 20 not out; Sayali Satghare 2-24, Kranti Gaud 1-28) by 102 runs.
