D/N Test, AUS-W on top of IND-W: Day 1 summary
What's the story
Australia's decision to bowl first in the one-off Day-Night Test against India at the WACA Ground paid off as they dismissed their opponents for 198 runs on the opening day. The Australian seamers exploited the pace and bounce of the Perth surface, with Annabel Sutherland (4/46) and debutant Lucy Hamilton (3/31) leading the charge. By stumps, Australia had reached 96/3 in their first innings, trailing by 102 runs but firmly placed to dictate the contest.
Inning struggles
India's innings falters under probing Australian attack
India's innings struggled to build momentum, with Smriti Mandhana (4) being the first to fall after Hamilton bowled her out. Shafali Verma counter-attacked with a brisk 35 off 48 balls, including six boundaries. However, Sutherland dismissed her just when she looked set to take the attack back at the bowlers. Debutant Pratika Rawal (18) fell victim to Sutherland's probing channel outside off as well.
Middle-order collapse
Rodrigues's half-century bolsters India; Sutherland, Hamilton shine
Jemimah Rodrigues (52) anchored India's innings with a composed half-century, hitting seven boundaries. However, her dismissal soon after reaching her 50 further dented India's hopes of posting a challenging total. A late flourish from the lower order ensured India came close to the 200-mark. All-rounder Kashvee Gautam showed maturity beyond her years, crafting a fighting unbeaten 34 runs. Sutherland ended as the pick of the bowlers with figures of 4/46 while Hamilton made an impressive Test debut with figures of 3/31.
Night challenge
Australia's response under lights; Perry leads from the front
Under the lights, India's young seam attack responded with encouraging discipline. Debutant Sayali Satghare struck early, removing Georgia Voll (2). Soon after, Kranti Gaud joined the party by inducing an edge from Phoebe Litchfield (9), safely caught by Rodrigues in the slips. At 31/2, Australia were briefly under pressure before Ellyse Perry stepped in to steady the innings with an unbeaten 43 off 62 balls.
Stats
Key numbers for Sutherland and India's Rodrigues
In 7 Women's Tests, Sutherland now owns 17 scalps from 12 innings at 25.11. Six of her wickets have come against India from three matches (4 innings) at 21.33. Sutherland bagged her maiden four-fer in WTests. On the other hand, India's Rodrigues has raced to 287 runs from 4 matches (6 innings) at 57.40. She registered her 4th fifty in WTests. Across three innings versus Australia, she has scored 137 runs at 68.5 (50s: 2).