ENG-W vs IND-W: Smriti Mandhana and Sophie Ecclestone trade historic blows as Lord’s Test starts in style

India Ladies took early honors at Lord’s, placing 285 on the scoreboard earlier than eradicating England‘s Tammy Beaumont to depart the hosts at 21/1 at stumps on Day 1. A superb 83 from Smriti Mandhana and preventing half-centuries from Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma anchored the guests, whereas Sophie Ecclestone etched her identify into cricket historical past by turning into England’s all-time main worldwide wicket-taker.

Smriti Mandhana stands tall amid early breakthroughs

Electing to bowl first in overcast situations, England’s seamers discovered rapid help. Lauren Filer and Lauren Bell exploited the contemporary floor, extracting sharp bounce and motion to depart India reeling at 37/2. The early dismissals compelled the vacationers right into a defensive shell.

Mandhana countered the preliminary strain with elegant strokeplay, combining logic with aggression. She joined forces with Jemimah Rodrigues (35) to regular the ship. Their 64-run partnership blunted the brand new ball and shifted the momentum again to the batting facet.Center-Order Heavyweights and a Spin-Led Collapse

Harmanpreet Kaur shines earlier than Sophie Ecclestone scripts historical past

Following Rodrigues’ departure, Mandhana discovered an in a position ally in skipper Harmanpreet (58). The pair seemed immovable throughout an 89-run stand, steering India to a commanding 190/3. Nonetheless, Issy Wong supplied the breakthrough by dismissing Mandhana for a well-made 83. Shortly earlier than Tea, debutant Mady Villiers clean-bowled a visibly cramping Kaur, triggering a large batting collapse.

The second half of the day belonged to England’s premier left-arm spinner, Ecclestone. She tore via India’s decrease order, ending with figures of three/68. This efficiency pushed her previous Katherine Sciver-Brunt to make her England Ladies’s highest wicket-taker throughout all codecs. India misplaced their remaining seven wickets for simply 95 runs.

Additionally WATCH: ENG-W vs IND-W: Lauren Bell produces an absolute jaffa to dismiss Yastika Bhatia on Day 1 of the Lord’s Check

Decrease-order defiance and a late English stumble

Confronted with a whole tail-end capitulation, Deepti Sharma performed a significant counter-attacking innings. Her composed 57 ensured India pushed previous the 250-mark to publish a aggressive complete of 285, making certain the bowlers had a good goal to defend.

With roughly 45 minutes of play remaining, India’s bowling unit attacked with excessive depth. Indian debutant pacer Kranti Goud made an instantaneous affect, trapping veteran opener Tammy Beaumont lbw for simply 2 runs. Maia Bouchier (17*) managed to outlive the remaining overs, leaving England trailing by 264 runs heading into the second day.

Day 1, Stumps
England have fought again brilliantly to dismiss India for 285 from 190 for 3 ✨#ENGvIND #Cricket pic.twitter.com/sBRTyo6HS0
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) July 11, 2026