London: Yastika Bhatia became the first female Test centurion at Lord’s before India declared their second innings at the stroke of tea, setting hosts England a massive 457-run target on day three of the one-off game here on Sunday.
In the first women’s Test at the iconic venue, India declared their second innings at 341 for seven following Richa Ghosh’s 50 off 52 balls. Ghosh’s entertaining effort came after Yastika’s sublime 113 off 158 balls that allowed India to extend their dominance in the game.
England spinner Sophie Ecclestone took a well deserved five-wicket haul. The home team has its task cut out as it looks to save the game.
In the morning, Bhatia inched towards a memorable hundred as India reached 250 for four at lunch on day three despite the loss of three wickets in the session.
Smriti Mandhana (70 off 130) was caught down the leg-side off Lauren Bell for a soft dismissal early in the session.
Pacer Bell was the standout bowler of the morning, removing not just Mandhana but also Jemimah Rodrgues (3 off 12). The ball to Rodrigues was a peach, seaming back sharply to crash onto the stumps.
Harmanpreet Kaur (16 off 34) was scratchy and finally fell to left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone who trapped the Indian captain in front with a straighter one. The on-field umpire was not convinced but Ecclestone got the DRS call in her favour.
Bhatia (91 batting off 139) was batting alongside Deepti Sharma (10 batting off 38) at the break.
The hallmark of Bhatia”s effort has been the use of feet against the spinners and the sumptuous straight drives off the pacers. Batting on 39 overnight, Bhatia began the day with a classy straight drive off Bell.
It was another drive down the ground off Bell that got to her half-century.
India had taken complete control of the game on day two by dismissing England for 170, following their 285 in the first innings.
