Daijiworld Media Network - London
London, July 13: India created a historic moment at Lord’s on Monday, defeating England by 270 runs in the first women’s Test match played at the iconic cricket venue. The hosts were bowled out for 186 while chasing a challenging target of 457 as India secured a landmark victory.
Lord’s, regarded as one of cricket’s most iconic grounds, has hosted international matches since 1884 and staged its first women’s international game in 1976, a 50-over match between England and Australia. However, it took another five decades for the ground, owned by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), to host a women’s Test. The MCC had prohibited women from becoming members until 1999.
“Playing at Lord’s is always special... hopefully we’ll get many more (Tests here). These kinds of matches bring a lot of happiness,” said India captain Harmanpreet Kaur after the historic win.
Sent in to bat first, India recovered from the loss of two early wickets as opener Smriti Mandhana held firm with a composed 83 before being caught behind off Issy Wong.
Harmanpreet Kaur (58) and Deepti Sharma (57) then played crucial knocks to help India post 285 in the first innings. England spinner Sophie Ecclestone claimed the final three wickets in quick succession, finishing with figures of 3-68.
Ecclestone’s three-wicket haul also made her England’s highest wicket-taker in women’s cricket across all formats, with 338 wickets, overtaking Katherine Sciver-Brunt’s previous record of 335 wickets.
Kranti Gaud enters Lord’s honours board history
England struggled in reply, managing only 170, as 22-year-old Indian medium-pacer Kranti Gaud delivered a match-defining spell, taking five wickets for 37 runs. She became the first woman to have her name recorded on the Lord’s Test honours board, a prestigious list reserved for players who score a century, take five wickets in an innings or claim 10 wickets in a Test match at the ground.
“The day the Test began, I thought: ‘I’ll get my name on the board for sure’,” said player-of-the-match Gaud.
Gaud was soon joined on the honours board by two more players. Indian wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia struck a vital 113, while Ecclestone earned a five-wicket haul. India declared their second innings at 341-7 on the third day, leaving England with a target of 457.
Facing a demanding chase, England’s top order collapsed as Gaud struck early, dismissing Tamsin Beaumont and Heather Knight, who were playing their final international match. The hosts were left reeling at 34-4.
Mady Villiers attempted to rebuild the innings with a 26-run contribution but fell after Indian wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh pulled off a spectacular close-in catch at silly mid-off, holding on to a powerful cover drive struck at point-blank range.
Amy Jones offered brief resistance with a 54-run knock on the fourth day, while Ecclestone continued the fight with her maiden Test half-century. However, Sneh Rana dismissed Ecclestone for a four-wicket haul (4-42), ending England’s resistance and sealing India’s historic victory at Lord’s.