Highlights, Australia Women vs India Women pink-ball Test, Full Cricket Score: Inclement weather forces early close of play; visitors solid at 132/1

Highlights, Australia Women vs India Women pink-ball Test, Full Cricket Score: Inclement weather forces early close of play; visitors solid at 132/1

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Oct 1, 2021 - 10:25
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Highlights, Australia Women vs India Women pink-ball Test, Full Cricket Score: Inclement weather forces early close of play; visitors solid at 132/1
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17:28 (IST)

That brings us to the end of our coverage of the opening day's play in the pink-ball Test between Australia and India at the Metricon Stadium in Gold Coast. Smriti Mandhana's fireworks with the bat from the word go after Meg Lanning's decision to bowl ensures India's journey in pink-ball Test cricket starts off on a strong note, with the top three collecting 132 runs for the loss of just one wicket, Mandhana alone accounting for 80 of those.

Do join us tomorrow at 9 am for the start of our coverage of the second day's play, which will begin 30 minutes earlier than scheduled at 9.30 am. Till then, it's a goodbye from us!

17:10 (IST)

STUMPS ON DAY 1

An update from Cricket Australia confirms stumps has been called on the opening day of the landmark pink-ball Test between Australia and India at the Metricon Stadium in Gold Coast.

Team India head to the interval on a solid position, with Smriti Mandhana's unbeaten 80 along with starts from Shafali Verma (31) and Punam Raut (16*) guiding them to 132/1 at close of play.

Australia will perhaps be wondering if their decision to bowl first was indeed the best one after all, though they still can turn things around come Friday.

16:52 (IST)

The frustrating wait for resumption of play continues. Meanwhile, the match officials have until 5.30 pm IST (10 pm local time) to decide on the resumption of play. Beyond that, it should be stumps on the opening day.

15:56 (IST)

Ladies and gentlemen, presenting Maitlan Brown

15:53 (IST)

Play was supposed to have resumed by now. But it looks like the holdup will be for a little while longer.

Live visuals from the broadcaster showing Smriti Mandhana, who's unbeaten on 80, having taken her pads off while sitting with her teammates in the dugout.

15:37 (IST)

Just the final session left today
 

15:26 (IST)

Apt

15:06 (IST)

What a player!

15:06 (IST)

Just one delivery is bowled in the 45th over of the innings before the players rush back to the dressing rooms, with covers quickly being brought out. Looks like a passing shower, and play shouldn't be held up for long

15:04 (IST)

After 44 overs,India Women 132/1 ( Smriti Mandhana 80 , Punam Raut 16)

Annabel Sutherland brought in place of Tahlia McGrath now in the first bowling change after resumption of play. She starts off with a maiden with Mandhana remaining defensive in this over.

15:00 (IST)

After 43 overs,India Women 132/1 ( Smriti Mandhana 80 , Punam Raut 16)

And now Punam Raut has decided to shed her defensive approach in this over as she advances down the pitch and smacks a full toss towards deep midwicket to collect her first boundary. Four off the over.

14:58 (IST)

After 42 overs,India Women 128/1 ( Smriti Mandhana 80 , Punam Raut 12)

Tight field placed around Mandhana by the Aussies. The southpaw decides to make use of the lack of protection at the boundary, going for another pull off McGrath’s bowling, this time guiding it towards the midwicket fence for four. Five from the over.

14:56 (IST)

After 41 overs,India Women 123/1 ( Smriti Mandhana 76 , Punam Raut 11)

Gardner continues. Punam, who has been cautious so far in her innings, moves to double figures with a brace in the second delivery followed by a single three balls later. Meanwhile, Mandhana’s score of 76 at the moment is the highest by an Indian in a Test innings in Australia. Can she become the first to score a hundred on Australian soil this evening?

14:54 (IST)

After 40 overs,India Women 120/1 ( Smriti Mandhana 76 , Punam Raut 8)

McGrath bowls three deliveries before bad weather at Gold Coast forces play to be halted for nearly two overs. Once play resumes, Mandhana starts off with a lovely drive that is intercepted at extra cover, before pulling towards square leg to collect the first six of the innings.

14:51 (IST)

Players are back on the field as the session resumes after the lengthy suspension due to bad weather. Tahlia McGrath to Smriti Mandhana

14:26 (IST)

Some good news for those eagerly waiting for resumption of play.

13:53 (IST)

Here are the match officials for the landmark Test 

13:20 (IST)

Raining cats and dogs at Gold Coast right now. We could be in for an extended delay

13:06 (IST)

Doesn't look good at Gold Coast at the moment

13:05 (IST)

Play halted 20 minutes after the start of the second session on the opening day due to bad weather. Dark clouds have gathered around the Metricon Stadium, and umpires are citing the danger of lightning strikes as the reason behind taking the players back to the dressing rooms. Also a bit of rain at the moment, with the groundstaff promptly putting the wicket under covers.

13:01 (IST)

After 39 overs,India Women 114/1 ( Smriti Mandhana 70 , Punam Raut 8)

Raut decides to play an attacking shot in this over, dancing down the track and lofting the ball over the bowler’s head. The ball however, slows down after a couple of bounces, and Raut is able to collect only a brace. Looks like there’s a light drizzle at the Metricon Stadium at the moment.

12:59 (IST)

After 38 overs,India Women 112/1 ( Smriti Mandhana 70 , Punam Raut 6)

Good over from McGrath with just one coming from it, as Punam collects a single in the fourth delivery. Meanwhile, the floodlights at the Metricon Stadium are in full force right now with the skies starting to darken now. Also the weather’s giving hints of rain at the moment.

12:55 (IST)

After 37 overs,India Women 111/1 ( Smriti Mandhana 70 , Punam Raut 5)

Tidy over from Gardner as she concedes just the one run off this over, with Punam Raut collecting a single in the third delivery. 

12:52 (IST)

After 36 overs,India Women 110/1 ( Smriti Mandhana 70 , Punam Raut 4)

FOUR! Mandhana collects the first boundary of the session as she guides the ball through the midwicket region off McGrath to move to 70 in the second ball. Four from the over.

12:49 (IST)

After 35 overs,India Women 106/1 ( Smriti Mandhana 66 , Punam Raut 4)


Ashleigh Gardner from the other end, as Lanning opts to keep a spinner from one end. She concedes just one off her sixth over.

12:46 (IST)

After 34 overs,India Women 105/1 ( Smriti Mandhana 65 , Punam Raut 4)


Tahlia McGrath returns to the attack after the dinner interval, with four runs coming off the first over of the session, including a brace to Raut off the last delivery.

12:04 (IST)

After 33 overs,India Women 101/1 ( Smriti Mandhana 64 , Punam Raut 1)


And that’s Dinner on Day 1 of the landmark pink-ball Test between Australia and India at the Metricon Stadium, with the Indians standing tall at 101/1 after being asked to bat by Meg Lanning. Full credit to Smriti Mandhana for her attacking approach against the Aussie seamers from the word go as she put the hosts under pressure right away. Shafali Verma lived a charmed life as she made her way for 31, before her luck ran out as Sophie Molineux broke the stand.

We’ll be back in 40 minutes’ time.

12:01 (IST)

After 32 overs,India Women 101/1 ( Smriti Mandhana 64 , Punam Raut 1)


Back-to-back maidens for Molineux. Looks like the umpires will be able to squeeze in one more over before dinner on Day 1.

11:57 (IST)

After 31 overs,India Women 101/1 ( Smriti Mandhana 64 , Punam Raut 1)


The 100 comes up for the Indians in this over as both Mandhana and Raut collect a single, the latter getting off the mark in the 16th delivery that she faces.

11:56 (IST)

After 30 overs,India Women 99/1 ( Smriti Mandhana 63 , Punam Raut 0)


Back-to-back maidens now for the Aussies, with Molineux collecting her third. New batter Raut, meanwhile, is yet to get off the mark after facing 14 deliveries. The hosts slowly starting to put the Indians under pressure by drying up the runs.

11:52 (IST)

After 29 overs,India Women 99/1 ( Smriti Mandhana 63 , Punam Raut 0)


Second maiden for Ash Gardner in her first three overs of the day as she continues to keep things tight from her end.

11:49 (IST)

After 28 overs,India Women 99/1 ( Smriti Mandhana 63 , Punam Raut 0)


Boundary to Mandhana in the second delivery of the over as she punches the ball through the extra cover region to move into the 60s. Collects a single right after the boundary.

11:47 (IST)

After 27 overs,India Women 94/1 ( Smriti Mandhana 58 , Punam Raut 0)


Gardner continues as Lanning persists with spin from both ends. Mandhana collects a single in the last ball of the over, the first run scored in 20 deliveries.

11:44 (IST)

After 26 overs,India Women 93/1 ( Smriti Mandhana 57 , Punam Raut 0)


After multiple dropped chances throughout her stay at the crease, Shafali’s luck finally runs out as she ends up getting caught by McGrath, who moves in from long off, with Molineux breaking the solid opening partnership. Punam Raut walks in at No 3. Wicket maiden for the left-arm spinner.

11:41 (IST)

OUT! Sophie Molineux finally breaks the stand as Shafali Verma's luck runs out. Gets a thick top-edge while looking for a slog, as McGrath runs forward from long off to complete an easy grab. IND 93/1

Verma c McGrath b Molineux 31(64)

11:40 (IST)

After 25 overs,India Women 93/0 ( Smriti Mandhana 57 , Shafali Verma 31)


Off-spinner Ashleigh Gardner is brought into the attack in the 25th over as she starts off her spell with a maiden, with Mandhana staying put at her crease. Looks like spin from both ends for a while before lunch. Meanwhile, India’s scoring rate has slowed a bit since the introduction of spinners.

11:37 (IST)

After 24 overs,India Women 93/0 ( Smriti Mandhana 57 , Shafali Verma 31)


Two runs off the over as Verma steers the ball behind square on the off side for a brace in the fourth delivery of the over.

11:36 (IST)

After 23 overs,India Women 91/0 ( Smriti Mandhana 57 , Shafali Verma 29)


Good over from Tahlia McGrath as she collects her first maiden of the innings, with Smriti Mandhana opting for the defensive approach for a change after blazing her way through the first 90 minutes of the session.

11:32 (IST)

After 22 overs,India Women 91/0 ( Smriti Mandhana 57 , Shafali Verma 29)


Verma and Mandhana keep the scoreboard ticking through singles in this over as four runs are collected in Molineux’s fourth over of the day.

11:30 (IST)

After 21 overs,India Women 87/0 ( Smriti Mandhana 55 , Shafali Verma 27)


Edge off Verma’s bat falls short of Lanning at slip at the start of McGrath’s fourth over. She collects a single next ball to move to 27.

11:25 (IST)

After 20 overs,India Women 86/0 ( Smriti Mandhana 55 , Shafali Verma 26)


Tidy over from the left-arm spinner Molineux as she collects only the second maiden of the innings so far. India, meanwhile, scoring at over four-an-over at the moment.

11:21 (IST)

After 19 overs,India Women 86/0 ( Smriti Mandhana 55 , Shafali Verma 26)


Now McGrath concedes five wides in the third delivery of her third over as the Aussies continue to be expensive. No runs off the bat in this over.

11:20 (IST)

After 18 overs,India Women 81/0 ( Smriti Mandhana 55 , Shafali Verma 26)


Australia’s sloppiness on the field continues as Verma is dropped by Sutherland at mid on off Molineux’s bowling in the third ball of the over. Just the one from the over.

11:17 (IST)

After 17 overs,India Women 80/0 ( Smriti Mandhana 55 , Shafali Verma 25)


McGrath continues from the other end. Mandhana, meanwhile, collects her 12th boundary of the innings with a lovely back foot punch at the start of the over. Four from the over.

11:15 (IST)

After 16 overs,India Women 76/0 ( Smriti Mandhana 51 , Shafali Verma 25)


Spin brought into play after the drinks interval as Sophie Molineux gets the ball. Verma’s put down by Lanning at slip in the second delivery as the ball runs away to fence. She lofts the ball down the ground two balls later to collect a brace. Six from the over.

11:08 (IST)

After 15 overs,India Women 70/0 ( Smriti Mandhana 51 , Shafali Verma 19)


Tahlia McGrath replaces Ellyse Perry in the attack. Smriti Mandhana brings up her third Test half-century in style, bringing up the milestone with a cracking cover drive in the penultimate ball of the over. Drinks brought out to the field at the end of the over.

11:04 (IST)

After 14 overs,India Women 66/0 ( Smriti Mandhana 47 , Shafali Verma 19)


Verma decides to express herself at the crease now, collecting back-to-back fours off Stella Campbell to move to 19. This has been some start from the Indian openers so far after being asked to bat.

10:58 (IST)

After 13 overs,India Women 58/0 ( Smriti Mandhana 47 , Shafali Verma 11)


Four from the over, as Mandhana glances a full delivery from Perry towards the fine leg fence in the penultimate delivery of the over.

10:55 (IST)

After 12 overs,India Women 54/0 ( Smriti Mandhana 43 , Shafali Verma 11)


Mandhana collects a boundary at the start of the over, to bring up the fifty opening stand with Verma. Has been a stellar start for the visitors so far after being asked to bat.

10:49 (IST)

After 11 overs,India Women 49/0 ( Smriti Mandhana 38 , Shafali Verma 11)


Perry, meanwhile, continues from the other end. Verma collects a boundary at the start of the over with a lovely cover drive. Verma and Mandhana then collect a single each in the remaining deliveries of the over.

Australia Women Vs India Women, pink-ball Test Live Cricket Score Updates: Follow this space for the latest update on the opening day of the one-off pink-ball Test between Australia and India.

One-off Test Preview: India gear up for a historic first on Thursday when they take on a formidable Australian team in their own backyard in what will be their maiden appearance in a day-night Test.

The Indian team had only recently played their first Test in seven years when they toured England earlier this summer, the likes of Shafali Verma and Sneh Rana producing standout performances with the bat to help the visiting team earn a hard-fought draw against the Heather Knight-led team in Bristol.

A little over two months later, the team will be up for a fresh challenge — facing the pink ball under lights on the greenish surface at Gold Coast's Metricon Stadium against a team whose status as the number one team across formats has rarely been challenged in recent years, much less so on their own turf.

Australia captain Meg Lanning (L) and India's skipper Mithali Raj (R) before the pink-ball Test. Image: Twitter/CricketComAu

What India will seek inspiration from, however, is the fight they produced in the one-day international series against Meg Lanning and company. After getting outplayed by nine wickets in the series opener, Mithali Raj's side produced an admirable fightback in the next two games, taking the fight till the very last over on both occasions.

While they suffered a last-ball heartbreak in the second one-dayer that saw a plenty of drama occurring over a waist-high no-ball from Jhulan Goswami, the Indians fought back hard in the final ODI to not only collect their first points of the multi-format tour, but end the Aussies' 26-match winning streak in the 50-over format that had stretched all the way back to October 2017.

On the eve of the landmark match, which will also be the first time India and Australia face each other in a women's Test since 2006, we bring to you everything you need to know as far as the match's live coverage is concerned:

When will the day-night Test between Australia and India take place?

The one-off day-night Test between Australia and India will take place between Thursday, 30 September and Sunday, 3 October.

Where will the day-night Test between Australia and India be played?

The day-night Test between Australia and India will be played at the Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast, Queensland.

What time will the match begin?

The day-night Test between Australia and India will begin at 11.30 am IST. The toss will take place at 11 am IST on the opening day.

Which TV channels will broadcast the match?

The day-night Test between Australia and India will be telecast on SONY SIX & SONY SIX HD. The match will also be live-streamed on SONY LIV. You can also catch the live updates on firstpost.com.

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