Shafali Verma (55) records 50 in a row in her Test Match debut to stop England’s attack, after Sophie Ecclestone (4-88) helped enforce the follow-up; Watch the fourth and last day live on Sky Sports Mix from 10:45 a.m. M. From Saturday
India’s Shafali Verma finished undefeated with 55, posting her second 50 on debut with another captivating inning.
England remain in control of the women’s LV = Insurance event against India, despite Shafali Verma creating another piece of history on a rain-stricken third day in Bristol.
Heather Knight’s team had the momentum after their last heroic deeds on the second day, and they capitalized on their lead in a frantic start to Friday’s game, imposing the follow-up after throwing India 231.
However, Verma (55 no) and Deepti Sharma (18 no) stabilized the boat for the visitors before the rain intervened as India closed 83-1, losing by 82 runs.
Verma stole the headlines on the second day with an inspired 96, and continued to rewrite the record books with other sublime entries; showing all the class and poise of a seasoned veteran.
The 17-year-old became the youngest woman to score more than 50 consecutive points in her Test Match debut, and her decorated compatriot Sachin Tendulkar is the only man to have accomplished the feat at a younger age.
Sharma moved up the order after finishing the first inning undefeated at 29, and provided an effective contrast to the teenage sensation to preserve India’s hopes of avoiding defeat at County Ground.
Sophie Ecclestone (4-88) was the star of the show in the morning session, breaking India’s middle order with a tremendous bang, before Anya Shrubsole (1-18) and Katherine Brunt (1-42) opened your bills after going wicketless on the second day.
England’s charge was stopped by Verma’s brilliance and adverse weather conditions at Bristol, but with 108 overs available on the fourth and final day, they remain in pole position to claim a first test win over India at home.
India was in a position of authority at 167-0 during yesterday’s afternoon session, but an extraordinary capitulation saw them resume at 187-5, and their problems were compounded as England exposed new weaknesses in their middle order.
Harmapreet Kaur (4) received a reprieve from DRS last night, although it led to her disappearance when Ecclestone struck with his first ball of the day; catching the vice-captain of India to the front with a complete surrender.
Taniya Bhatia succumbed almost identically in Ecclestone’s next over, and the left arm claimed her third wicket of the morning with an excellent delivery that caught the outside edge of Sneh Rana, with Amy Jones claiming a sharp reflex catch in the second. tried.
This left India reeling at 197-8, but Pooja Vastrakar underscored his batting credentials, offering a spirited resistance alongside Sharma (29 no).
The pair put up 33 for the ninth wicket to put England down, but the hosts finished the innings within two overs of taking the new ball, while Brunt and Shrubsole kicked Vastrakar and Goswami in quick succession.
Heather Knight opted to enforce the continuation with India losing by 165 runs, but Verma was completely unfazed; sending Brunt and Shrubsole to the limit with ease and effort as India raced to 29-0 from four overs.
However, England made the biggest breakthrough at lunchtime when Smriti Mandhana (8) couldn’t back up his graceful first-inning strike; skirting a full delivery from Brunt to Nat Sciver on the second slip.
After being promoted to No. 3, Sharma made a cautious start after the break, claiming the solo single from her first 44 balls.
This approach was in stark contrast to Verma’s display fluidity, but Sharma emerged with renewed intent after a brief rain delay, and the pair had added 54 for the second wicket before the skies opened once more, which that closed the day. action.
Live coverage of the women’s event between England and India continues on Sky Sports Mix from 10.45am on Saturday.