India on the verge of historic Test win as Yastika Bhatia hits century | Cricket News
The Indian women’s football team were on the verge of a historic maiden Test win at Lord’s after dominating on day three, driven by Yastika Bhatia’s record-breaking maiden century, before the bowlers reduced England to 130/6 in pursuit of an incredible 457-run target.Despite fierce resistance from Amy Jones and Madhi Villiers, Harmanpreet Kaur’s side were just four wickets away from writing history at the House of Cricket, ultimately taking firm control of the match.
Yastika writes history in the home of cricket
Continuing on day three with a healthy first innings lead, India continued to pile on the runs despite England’s better performance in the opening overs. Lauren Bell dismissed Smriti Mandhana (70) early and Jemimah Rodrigues later. Sophie Ecclestone then trapped LB Harmanpreet Kaur and England briefly got back into the game.Yet Yashtika Bhatia remained unmoved. The left-hander showed remarkable composure and graceful batting skills as she scored her first Test century and became the first woman to score a hundred in the Lord’s Test. Her memorable 113 off 158 balls also became the highest score by an Indian woman in the third or fourth innings of a Test match.England spinner Sophie Ecclestone fought tirelessly to take her fourth five-wicket haul in the Women’s Test, but there was a lack of support from the other end as India continued to dominate.
Richa Ghosh provides belated fireworks display
After Bhatia’s departure, wicketkeeper-batsman Richa Ghosh’s unbeaten 52-ball 50 breathed new impetus into the innings, sparking an attack for the England bowlers. As India’s lead extended to over 450 runs, captain Harmanpreet Kaur declared the innings at 341/7, leaving England with a massive 457-run target to survive or chase.
India pacers break England’s top spot
India’s bowlers soon tightened their grip on the match.Debutants Kranti Gaude and Sayali Sathar produced another brilliant new-ball spell, removing openers Tammy Beaumont and Maya Buchir in the opening four overs. Beaumont’s dismissal also marked the end of her international career, while former captain Heather Knight, who played one last Test before retiring and was later dismissed by Kranti Gaud, received a guard of honor from Team India on her departure.England’s problems deepened further when Sneh Rana bowled Nat Sciver-Brunt with a fine delivery and then Sayali broke through the defense of Alice Capsey to reduce the hosts to 59/5.
Jones and Villiers delay the inevitable
Just when India seemed ready to end the match on night three, Amy Jones and Maddie Villiers launched a determined fightback. The two combined for a gritty 67-run partnership to frustrate the Indian attack and briefly keep England’s hopes alive.The stands were eventually broken in stunning fashion when Richa Ghosh took a stunning close catch in a stupid position to bowl Villiers off the bowling of Sneh Rana. Jones continued her resistance with a gritty half-century but England remained mired at 130/6, needing another 327 runs and with just 4 wickets in hand.
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