Day 3 of the ongoing one-off Test between India and Australia women, at the Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai, saw the visitors putting on a much-improved batting performance before Harmanpreet Kaur wrestled the initiative back for her side.
India started Day 3 with a strong 157-run lead and three wickets still in the bank. Deepti Sharma and Pooja Vastrakar added 20 runs before the latter was dismissed for a crucial knock of 47. Deepti also returned to the pavilion a few overs later for a well-compiled 78 off 171 balls. Renuka Singh was the last batter dismissed as India were bowled out for 406, bagging a lead of 187.
The Aussie batters had their task cut out against an upbeat Indian bowling attack. However, the duo of Beth Mooney and Phoebe Litchfield got their team off to a solid start. They added 49 runs before Mooney was run out by Richa Ghosh in a bizarre way. The experienced Australian batter defended a delivery from Sneh Rana and casually stepped out of the crease. Richa was aware of the situation as she hit the stumps directly to give India a wicket against the run of play. Litchfield departed a couple of overs later as she failed to execute a premeditated reverse sweep.
Tahlia McGrath and Elysse Perry joined forces and stitched an 84-run partnership for the third wicket. The latter was unfortunately strangled down the leg-side as Yastika Bhatia took a sharp catch off the bowling of Rana. Australian skipper Alyssa Healy joined McGrath in the middle. They showed a lot of grit and determination and forged a 66-run stand off 175 balls.
The Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur brought herself into the attack and struck off her fourth ball. She dismissed McGrath for 73, as the sedate partnership was finally broken. However, the 34-year-old wasn’t finished as she got rid of her opposite number in her fifth over. The tourists ended the day at 233/5, with Annabel Sutherland and Ashleigh Gardner at the crease. They are effectively at 46/5, with two more days left in the Test match. India have their noses in front but Australia bat deep and can make things difficult for the ‘Women in Blue’ if they can keep stitching partnerships on Day 4.
Here’s a look at how ‘X’ users reacted to the action on Day 3:
Best Bowling Strike Rate in Women’s Test History
[Min. 10 Wickets]
23.4 : Joan Davis 🏴
27.8 : Anne Palmer 🇦🇺
𝟯𝟭.𝟴 : Harmanpreet Kaur 🇮🇳
31.9 : Peggy Antonio 🇦🇺#INDvAUS #INDWvAUSW pic.twitter.com/Gu4XhqZyMh
— Kishan Kishor (@itskishankishor) December 23, 2023
End of day 3
Aus 233-5 Lead by 46 runs
100 overs still left in this test match
Gardner 7* Sutherland 12* Indian Fans be Like 😂:#INDvAUS #INDWvAUSW #IndianCricket #IPL2024Auction #INDvSA #Smriti #PERRY pic.twitter.com/VTgaSSSCnC
— Karan Jaat (@Estd_18) December 23, 2023
Day3: Stumps
India- 406/10
Australia – 233/5 & 219/10
Australia Trailing by 46 runs.
Tomorrow is last day, what will be the result?#INDvAUS #INDWvAUSW pic.twitter.com/sQi37zrvhp
— Cric Krishna (@Krishnak0109) December 23, 2023
Another excellent day of test cricket… superb 2nd Inngs response by Australia but late joy for India after a lengthy stint in the field.
Set up very nicely for the final day tomorrow. New ball just taken, Aus effectively 46/5. #INDWvAUSW
— 🗡️Charles Dagnall 🗡️ (@CharlesDagnall) December 23, 2023
Stumps day 3 – Australia lead by 46 runs with 5 wickets in hand, last day will be interesting 😍#INDWvAUSW #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/Wh9qlamGBp
— Rajan pandit (@jaima7017) December 23, 2023
Harmanpreet Kaur leading from front.#INDvAUS #INDWvAUSWpic.twitter.com/9vH3RpVjcg
— Cric Krishna (@Krishnak0109) December 23, 2023
We say its engrossing day of Test cricket encompassing 100ovr of play.
So Technically Australia are 46/5 & India is on the top right there but remember, tomorrow is the last day & the pitch will can play big role.
Come On Girls, Win 🏆 IT#INDWvAUSW #INDvAUS #TeamIndia https://t.co/QR856lK3Dl pic.twitter.com/H97oCuBU0H
— Dilbag Koundal ਦਿਲਬਾਗ ਕੌਂਡਲ 🇮🇳 (@dilbag_koundal) December 23, 2023
Healy befaltu ka attitude dikha Rahi thi 🤣Harman with another wicket 📷 #INDvAUS #INDWvAUSW pic.twitter.com/aYXDN8d4YI
— Rajan pandit (@jaima7017) December 23, 2023
The reason why I kept insisting Harry should always bowl some overs! and now she has taken 2 wickets !#INDWvAUSW
— Smriti Mandhana Admirer (@SMAdmirer) December 23, 2023
Another superb rollercoaster of a day of test cricket. #INDWvAUSW heads into its final day, with, dare I say it, all four results possible.
— Tareque Laskar (@tarequelaskar) December 23, 2023
Now it was out but due to imapct in favour of umpire so it’s not out as umpire give not out,, so it’s both side #indvsaus on 87.1 over #INDWvAUSW #INDWvsAUSW
— not required (@unique_logics) December 23, 2023
India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur is on fire 🔥 #INDWvAUSW #INDvAUS #TeamIndia https://t.co/dX94zkOYHm pic.twitter.com/gVrv9VwHea
— Dilbag Koundal ਦਿਲਬਾਗ ਕੌਂਡਲ 🇮🇳 (@dilbag_koundal) December 23, 2023