Smriti Mandhana slams maiden ton in pink-ball Test

CHANCES of a result in India’s maiden pink-ball Test got slimmer as the second day of their historic match against Australia at the Metricon Stadium in Queensland, Australia, also saw a rain intervention disallowing a complete day’s play.

India, who ended the rain-curtailed first day at 132 for 1 after Australia won the toss and sent them to bat, added 144 runs on the second day for the loss of four wickets in 61 overs to reach 276 for 5 at stumps. However, the highlight of the dull day was a phenomenal hundred from opener Smriti Mandhana who scored 127 off 216 balls. It was her maiden ton in the long format and laid a strong foundation for her team.

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At stumps, Deepti Sharma (12) and Taniya Bhatia (zero) were the two not out batters.

For the hosts, Ashleigh Gardner, Ellyse Perry and Sophie Molineux picked a wicket each in the day. India scored 45 runs in the second session before play was suspended because of rain. The day’s play was eventually called off as no play was possible because of the weather. Australia used as many as eight bowlers but still struggled to find the breakthroughs.

India started from their overnight score of 132 and added another 63 runs before Mandhana fell. Mandhana got a life earlier in the day when she was caught by Beth Mooney off Perry on her overnight score of 80 but the delivery turned out to be an invalid one. Puman Raut (36) and captain Mithali Raj (30) had starts but could not convert them into big knocks. Raut, interestingly, walked back to the pavilion even when the umpire hadn’t raised the finger.

The game expects to see better weather conditions over the weekend, which promises an engaging battle between the two sides.