Lord’s: India secures historic Test victory against England, extends unbeaten streak
India’s Dominant Performance at Lord’s
India achieved a significant Women’s Test victory over England at Lord’s, winning by a margin of 270 runs. This win marks India’s second-highest victory by runs in Women’s Tests and the fourth largest overall in the format. The match was notable as the first-ever Women’s Test held at Lord’s, adding to its historical significance.
The foundation for India’s success was laid in the first innings after being put in to bat by England. India posted 285 runs, with key contributions from Smriti Mandhana and captain Harmanpreet Kaur, both of whom scored half-centuries. England’s response saw them bowled out for 170 runs, largely due to the bowling efforts of Kranti Gaud.
Kranti Gaud delivered a standout performance, becoming the first player to take a five-wicket haul during a Women’s Test at Lord’s. Her bowling was instrumental in securing a substantial lead for India after the first innings. This strong start set the tone for India’s comprehensive display throughout the match.
Milestones and Records Achieved
The match saw several individual milestones, further cementing India’s dominance. Yastika Bhatia played a crucial role, scoring the first triple-digit score at Lord’s in a Women’s Test. Her fluent 113 runs were a significant factor in India’s second innings, helping them declare at 341 for seven and set a challenging target of 457 runs for England.
Smriti Mandhana also contributed significantly with a second half-century in the match, following her 83 runs in the first innings with 70 runs in the second. Another vital contribution came from Richa Ghosh, whose unbeaten half-century helped accelerate India’s declaration. These batting performances ensured that England faced an imposing target.
Kranti Gaud continued her impressive form in the second innings, adding two more wickets to her tally, finishing with seven wickets in the match. The bowling attack, which also included Sneh Rana and Sayali Satghare, maintained consistent pressure on the England batters, who never seriously threatened the chase. India’s bowlers expertly exploited the conditions, leading to another comprehensive display.
India’s Unbeaten Streak in England Continues
This victory not only marked a historic win at Lord’s but also extended India’s remarkable 40-year unbeaten streak in Women’s Test matches played in England. Since their first tour in 1986, India has played 10 Tests on English soil, winning three and drawing seven, maintaining an undefeated record there.
Overall, India and England have met 16 times in Women’s Tests. With this latest win, India now leads the head-to-head record with four wins compared to England’s lone victory, while 11 matches have ended in draws. England’s only success against India in Women’s Tests came by a narrow two-run margin in Jamshedpur in 1995.
This win follows India’s commanding 347-run victory over England in Navi Mumbai in 2023, further reaffirming India’s growing stature in the longest format of the game. The triumph at Lord’s adds another milestone to India’s cricketing history, extending an unbeaten streak in England that now spans four decades.
For England, the match marked the final international appearances for Tammy Beaumont and Heather Knight. Both players, who were key members of the England squad that won the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup at Lord’s in 2017, have retired from all formats of the game.
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Source: icc-cricket.com
