The WACA in Perth witnessed a high-octane Day 1 of the India-Australia women’s sole pink ball Test match. Australia closed at 96/3, still 102 behind India’s first innings 198 all out, but firmly in the driver’s seat after a dominant bowling display that triggered a collapse.
Opting to field, Australia dismantled India methodically. Openers Mandhana (4) and Rawal (18) fell cheaply. Verma injected pace with 35, but Rodrigues’ gritty 52 – laced with precise timing – was the highlight. Kaur (19), Sharma (7), Ghosh (11), and Rana (5) couldn’t build partnerships. Gautam’s unbeaten 34 offered respectability.
Sutherland’s 4/46 headlined Australia’s effort, backed by Hamilton’s 3/31 and Brown’s 2/41. Turning to bat, Australia lost Voll (2), Litchfield (9), and Healy (13 to Satghare). Perry’s counter-attacking 43* (7×4) off 62 balls, alongside Sutherland’s 20*, rescued them to stumps.
Sayali Satghare impressed with 2 wickets for India, Goud snaring one. The pink ball’s swing under floodlights favored pacers, leading to 13 wickets in the day – a testament to the format’s excitement.
As the match progresses, questions linger: Can India’s attack break this stand? Will Perry convert her start? This clash underscores women’s Test cricket’s resurgence, blending tradition with day-night innovation. Expect fireworks on day two in this transcontinental showdown.