PERTH – Australia’s Annabel Sutherland produced a match-defining spell as India women were skittled for 198 on the opening day of the pink ball Test at WACA. The 22-year-old’s 4 wickets for 46 runs triggered a batting meltdown on a pitch offering generous bounce and seam movement.
Opting to field, captain Alyssa Healy saw her strategy vindicated early. Smriti Mandhana managed just 4 before perishing. Prathika Raval’s enterprising 18 included three boundaries but couldn’t stem the tide against Sutherland.
Shefali Verma reached 35 with elegant strokeplay, yet her dismissal deepened India’s woes. Jemimah Rodrigues delivered the innings’ standout performance – an unbeaten 52 from 84 deliveries, adorned with seven fours, showcasing impeccable timing and composure.
Harmanpreet Kaur (19), Deepti Sharma (7), Richa Ghosh (11 off 41), Sneha Rana (5), Kranti Gaud (1), and Sayali Satghare (7) all came and went quickly. Kasvi Gautam hung on for 34 not out from 54 balls, but regular wickets prevented any recovery.
Sutherland dominated proceedings, backed by Lucy Hamilton’s 3/31 and Darcy Brown’s brace. Ashley Gardner accounted for Ghosh. This below-par total in day-night conditions puts immense pressure on India’s bowlers to strike early when Australia bats.