An eventful Day 2 at Bristol saw England Women push India Women to the back foot with a flurry of wickets in the final session. India were soaring at 167 without loss, a new national record, thanks to an array of excellent strokes from Smriti Mandhana (78) and Shafali Verma (96). But India then lost 5 for 16 in 57 balls, and are now struggling to save the follow on.
Both Verma and Mandhana were caught while trying to clear the in-field. Shikha Pandey, promoted to four, was beaten in flight and hit one back to Heather Knight. Sophie Ecclestone had Mithali Raj caught at bat-pad. And Punam Raut shouldered arms to a straight ball from Knight.
India finished the day on 187/5. They still trail by 209, and need another 60 runs to avoid the follow-on. At the crease are Harmanpreet Kaur (4) and Deepti Sharma (0). India will take heart from the fact they bat really, really deep – so deep, that one of Jhulan Goswami and Pooja Vastrakar may end up batting at No. 11. They will need to apply themselves well against Ecclestone (1-61) and the part-time spin of Knight (2-1).
While the inexperience of Test match cricket may be a hindrance, both Kaur and Sharma have had one enormous innings – in excess of 170 – in ODIs. Some quick runs in the morning may hasten the process of avoiding the follow on. Once that is done, India are likely to save the Test match, especially since there is some rain predicted over the next two days, more on Day 4 than on Day 3.
All in all, England hold the cards here. They have the big lead, they will bowl last, and they do have one world-class spinner. Ecclestone does not have the figures to show how well she bowled – but that was due to a rampant Verma. Ecclestone did find turn, and beat Mithali Raj in flight with a beautiful delivery to get her caught and bowled.
Just like Kaur for India, Ecclestone holds the key for England on Day 3, especially in the first session.
Brief scores
England Women 396/9 decl. (Heather Knight 95; Sneh Rana 4-131) lead India Women 187/5 (Shafali Verma 96; Heather Knight 2-1).