Smriti Mandhana’s record Test century stood out on a rain-marred Day 2 of the one-off day-night Test against Australia in Carrara yesterday.
Mandhana brought up her first hundred in the longest format but India’s batting approach, with thunderstorms imminent post dinner, helped Australia claw their way back in the game with three quick wickets on either side of the break.
Lightning and rain arrived an hour before Tea, eventually forcing early stumps for a second successive day with India on 276 for five.
Mandhana had an ominous start to the afternoon when she drove a full-toss to point yet again on this tour off just the second delivery she faced.
Luckily for her though, despite a stunning one-handed grab by Beth Mooney, Australia couldn’t pick up the wicket as Ellyse Perry had overstepped. Let off on the overnight score of 80, the southpaw went on to overhaul both the imminent records en-route her 127, putting on a display of some crisp drives and cracking pulls.
She became the country’s first female Test centurion in Australia when she pulled Perry for the second time in her fourth over of the day.
Stella Campbell was in for some punishment next for bowling erroneous line and length as Mandhana went to break Molly Hide’s 72-year-old record upon surpassing 124 to register the new personal best from a visiting female cricketer in Australia.
Chief scores
India: 276/5 (Smriti Mandhana 127, Punam Raut 36, Sophie Molineux 2/28) vs Australia. (Agencies)
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