{ "id": "84773", "author": "23", "cnmid": "0", "title": "AUSW vs INDW: Smriti Mandhana Shines On Rain-Affected First Day Of Pink-Ball Test", "lang": "en", "series": "474", "cup_year": "2021", "article_type": "General", "excerpt": "Indian opener Smriti Mandhana shined bright with her highest score in Test cricket before rain forced the closure of first day of the one-off pink-ball Test against Australia at Metricon Stadium here ", "subtype": null, "editor1": "

Indian opener Smriti Mandhana shined bright with her highest score in Test cricket before rain forced the closure of first day of the one-off pink-ball Test against Australia at Metricon Stadium here on Thursday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

At stumps on day one, India finished with 132\/1 in 44.1 overs, with Smriti remaining unbeaten on 80. Punam Raut was the other unbeaten batter for India on 16, with the partnership for second wicket at 39.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Smriti went past her previous-best score in Tests, 78 against England in Bristol in June this year. She was fluent through off-side while hitting 15 boundaries and one six in her unconquered 144-ball knock to put India in a position of ascendancy in their first-ever pink-ball Test.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

She also put an opening stand of 94 runs with Shafali Verma, who was the only wicket to fall in the day to left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux. Almost two hours were lost of the second session before play began. After 28 balls, rain made a comeback to ensure only 44.1 overs were possible on the first day.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Put in to bat after Australia captain Meg Lanning won the toss, Smriti raced to her half-century off 51 deliveries with a cover drive off Tahlia McGrath in the opening hour and despite slowing down, remained rock solid for India.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Darcie Brown and Annabel Sutherland had nervy starts to their Test careers, the former going for 0\/28 off her four overs while 19-year-old Annabel had a couple of fumbles in the field including dropping Shafali when the Indian opener was on 25.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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Annabel's spill was the third time Shafali rode her luck in her knock, with edges earlier in her innings twice eluding Meg at first slip as Australia pressed for a breakthrough.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

India were 70\/0 at drinks with Smriti the main aggressor, hitting 11 fours on her way to her third half-century in Test cricket. After the drinks break, Australia turned to spin to stem the runs with Sophie Molineux and Ashleigh Gardner operating in tandem.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Sophie eventually got the breakthrough for Australia in the 26th over, luring Shafali to free her arms. The teenaged opener sliced to Tahlia at mid-off to fall for 31. Sophie ended the day with 1\/18 from nine overs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Australia named four debutants for the match in Annabel Sutherland, Darcie Brown, Georgia Wareham and Stella Campbell while India had two debutantes in Yastika Bhatia and Meghna Singh.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Australia are currently leading the multi-format series 4-2 heading into the only Test, which carries four points for a win and two points in case of draw.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Also Read: <\/strong> T20 World Cup 2021<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n

Brief scores:<\/strong> India 132\/1 in 44.1 overs (Smriti Mandhana 80 not out, Shafali Verma 31, Sophie Molineux 1\/18) against Australia<\/p>\r\n", "image": "https:\/\/img.cricketnmore.com\/uploads\/2021\/09\/smriti-mandhana-shines-on-rain-affected-first-day-of-pink-ball-test-against-australia-women-cricket-team.jpg", "alt_img": "Cricket Image for AUSW vs INDW: Smriti Mandhana Shines On Rain-Affected First Day Of Pink-Ball Test", "alt_title": "AUSW vs INDW: Smriti Mandhana Shines On Rain-Affected First Day Of Pink-Ball Test", "image1": null, "video": null, "seo_title": "AUSW vs INDW: Smriti Mandhana Shines On Rain-Affected First Day Of Pink-Ball Test On Cricketnmore", "seo_desc": "Indian opener Smriti Mandhana shined bright with her highest score in Test cricket before rain forced the closure of first day of the one-off pink-ball Test against Australia at Metricon Stadium here on Thursday.", "seo_keywords": "Smriti Mandhana, Pink Ball Test Match, India women cricket team, India Women's Cricket", "tag": null, "tagging": "Smriti Mandhana,Pink Ball Test Match,India women cricket team,India Women's Cricket,", "status": "1", "img_rpt": "0", "google": "1", "standout": "0", "edapps": "0", "pulse": "0", "no_index": "0", "feed": "0", "fixture": null, "slug": "smriti-mandhana-shines-on-rain-affected-first-day-of-pink-ball-test-against-australia-women-cricket-team", "user_id": "0", "read_count": "1", "ians_date": null, "ians_time": null, "server_time": null, "trash": "0", "view_count": "2467", "page_break": "0", "instant_articles": "1", "auto_link": "1", "created": "2021-09-30 20:39:07", "updated": "2021-09-30 20:39:36", "img_from": "Image Source: Google", "img_source": null, "schedule_publish": null, "news_keywords": "India Women Tour of Australia, India Women vs Australia Women, Day and Night Test, Smriti Mandhana's Inning", "livescore_text": null, "livescore_link": null, "btn_text": null, "resend_feed": "0", "google_feed": "0", "read_more": "0", "posted_by": "27", "jio_date": "2021-09-30 20:39:07", "scheduled": "0", "news_now": "0", "breaking_news": "0", "google_date": "2021-09-30 20:39:07", "featured": "0", "pred_match_id": null, "article_content_type": null, "link": "https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/cricket-news\/smriti-mandhana-shines-on-rain-affected-first-day-of-pink-ball-test-against-australia-women-cricket-team-84773" }