The Day 3 of the One-off Pink Ball Test Match of the Commonwealth Bank Series between Australia and India between AUS W vs IND W – looked pretty good for India as they declared on 377/8 and picked early wickets as both fast bowlers Jhulan Goswami and Pooja Vastrakar strike for India as they finished Day 3 with two wickets each.
However, right now the match seems to be heading towards a Draw. If India can find early wickets tomorrow on the 1st Session of Day 4 – AUS W vs IND W Test Match, it can get interesting. In the Multi-Format Series, it is a Point Based System – which currently the Aussie are leading by 4-2. If Draw happens both Australia and India earn 2 Points each. Surprisingly, a win happens then 4 Points to that Team.
Day 3 of AUS W vs IND W – Day/Night Pink Ball Test Match
India Women continuing their batting ended Day 3 on 377/8 after Captain Mithali Raj declared. As the all-rounder, Deepti Sharma registered her second Test Half-Century. India lost its 1st Wicket of Day 3 as Taniya Bhatia gets Out after recording a 43 Run Partnership with Deepti Sharma, as she got caught behind off Stella Campbell’s bowling as the youngster gets her Maiden Test Wicket.
Another 40 Runs Partnership of Deepti Sharma with Pooja Vastrakar, gets broken as Vastrakar departs for 13 (off 48). The next wicket was a big blow for India as set batter Deepti Sharma – 66 (off 167) gets Out by LBW as debutant Stella Campbell strikes again. However, the replay shows a different scene – the ball was pitching outside leg and was Not Out. With DRS not available – it would have been different. It went on to show how important DRS is as the same incident happened later on in the match.
India then went on to declare 377/8. With this India records its highest Test score in Women’s Tests.
Australia Women Innings of 143/4 at end of Day 3
However, the Aussie suffered a setback as the experienced Indian fast-bowler Jhulan Goswami strikes early to get Beth Mooney Out for 4 (off 16) as she was cleaned bowled. Australia was 14/1.
Perfect start for India as Goswami gets through the defences of Mooney.
Live #AUSvIND: https://t.co/rNFQ5z8MqI pic.twitter.com/EJOMy0NZwJ
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) October 2, 2021
Then again, it’s Goswami who gives India another breakthrough as Alyssa Healy gets Out, as she is caught behind by wicket-keeper Taniya Bhatia. Alyssa Healy scored 29 (off 66). Hence, with this, both Australian openers are back in the pavilion with 63/2 being the score in 22.4 overs.
Meanwhile, as mentioned earlier if DRS had been available for this Series – it would have provided different results – as India gets the most important wicket of the Aussie Skipper Meg Lanning – 38 (off 78) given LBW as Pooja Vastrakar gets her 1st wicket with the pink-ball. The replay shows that there is an inside edge on it, should have been Not Out.
Next wicket for Pooja Vastrakar, as Tahlia McGrath gets caught easily by Smriti Mandhana in the field. McGrath scored 28 (off 68 deliveries). India stunned Australia by picking wickets at regular intervals.
As a result, at end of Day 3 Australia Women 143/4 with Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner in the crease. The hosts are currently trailing by 234 Runs.
Stumps in Carrara!
Australia finish day three on 143/4, trailing India by 234.#AUSvIND | https://t.co/cKISkEvPH4 pic.twitter.com/Lg2KWULbrV
— ICC (@ICC) October 2, 2021
