Highlights, Australia Women vs India Women pink-ball Test, Full cricket Score: Mithali and Co's day-night debut ends in a draw

India can certainly hold their heads high

Well played India, clearly the better side in this Test. Seems a bit unfair they only share the points with Aus! As for the latter, seems to me the side was top-heavy with allrounders. If you can't win a match with five bowlers, you won't win it with six, let alone eight.

— Ric Finlay (@RicFinlay) October 3, 2021

The two legends having a chat at the end of the game

Game respects game#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/f3JACcodb4

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) October 3, 2021

Meg Lanning, Australia captain: I think without the weather, we definitely would have got a result. Tough little session for us there in the backend. India played really well and put us on the back foot. They ran in hard and gave their all

Mithali Raj, India skipper: Overall the team played very well in this format. Lost a lot of overs due to rain, but we tried to make a game out of the two days that we have. Jhulan has always been my best bowler for so many years, and we got to see why. We do have couple of young seamers who did well in the one-dayers, and I thought of playing them. I was impressed with Yastika and Richa in this series. I’m sure she’ll (Harmanpreet) take the field in the T20 format.

Smriti Mandhana is the Player of the Match for her 127 in the first innings!

Mandhana: I haven’t still got time yet to rank it yet, but definitely top three (the first innings ton) as it was the first time we’re playing a day-night Test. I think that was the most sleepless night I ever had (after Day 1). Definitely happy I passed the 80-90 mark and got to three-figure mark. Definitely Test cricket is the top-most as a player. We don’t have much time this series. Just three days now. I had a slight hit out today in T20 fashion.

After 15 overs,Australia Women 36/2 ( Meg Lanning (C) 17 , Ellyse Perry 1)

Maiden for Gayakwad, with the umpire calling for drinks at the end of the over. And the two captains decide to shake hands as the landmark pink-ball Test ends in a draw.

Lanning had started walking towards Raj as soon as the umpire signalled drinks at the end of the over, and after a brief chat, the two decided there’s no point playing out the remaining 17 overs any further.

End of what turned out to be quite the memorable pink-ball debut for Team India, one that they dominated for the most part both with bat and ball. Mithali and Co will certainly return to their hotel thinking they could’ve collected all four points on offer if weather hadn’t played spoilsport in the first two days.

After 14 overs,Australia Women 36/2 ( Meg Lanning (C) 17 , Ellyse Perry 1)

Vastrakar continues from the other end. Collects her first maiden as Lanning blocks her way through. The Aussie skipper cuts in the last delivery, but is intercepted at point.

After 13 overs,Australia Women 36/2 ( Meg Lanning (C) 17 , Ellyse Perry 1)

Spin brought into play for the first time with Rajeshwari Gayakwad replacing Goswami. Loud LBW appeal against Perry first ball, but the umpire shakes his head. Perhaps impact outside off? Pez gets off the mark with a single off the third ball. Lanning runs the ball towards midwicket for a solitary run two balls later. Two from the over.

After 12 overs,Australia Women 34/2 ( Meg Lanning (C) 16 , Ellyse Perry 0)

FOUR! Lanning collects an easy boundary on offer, pulling a short ball from Vastrakar in front of square towards the vacant midwicket fence. Four off the over. Perry yet to get off the mark, with another 20 overs left to be bowled today.

After 11 overs,Australia Women 30/2 ( Meg Lanning (C) 12 , Ellyse Perry 0)

Goswami continues. LBW appeal against Lanning in the second delivery, though it looked too high, with the skipper setting off for a run nevertheless to add a leg bye to the total. Just one from the over.

After 10 overs,Australia Women 29/2 ( Meg Lanning (C) 12 , Ellyse Perry 0)

Mooney and Lanning collect a single each, before the former’s tempted into a pull after being served a short ball by Vastrakar, the ball landing in Gayakwad’s palms near deep backward square as Australia lose both openers with 28 on board. Ellyse Perry walks out to bat next. Lanning keeps the strike with a single off the last ball.

OUT! The short-ball strategy works for Vastrakar as Mooney holes out to Gayakwad at deep backward square leg after getting a thick top-edge off a pull. AUS 28/2

Mooney c Gayakwad b Vastrakar 11(28)

After 9 overs,Australia Women 26/1 ( Beth Mooney 10 , Meg Lanning (C) 10)

FOUR! Just a gentle push off Lanning’s bat as she steers the ball behind square, piercing the gap between point and gully to collect her first boundary. The Aussie skipper however, is surprised by one that stays a touch low that could’ve had her trapped leg-before had she not got her bat down in time for an inside-edge. Four off the over.

After 8 overs,Australia Women 22/1 ( Beth Mooney 10 , Meg Lanning (C) 6)

Couple of runs from Vastrakar’s second over with Mooney and Lanning pinching a single each, the former moving to double figures.

After 7 overs,Australia Women 20/1 ( Beth Mooney 9 , Meg Lanning (C) 5)

Another tidy over from Jhulan Goswami as she collects the first maiden of the innings. Less than an hour left for the official close of play. LBW appeal in the penultimate delivery is turned down, and there was a visible inside-edge off Lanning’s bat.

After 6 overs,Australia Women 20/1 ( Beth Mooney 9 , Meg Lanning (C) 5)

First bowling change, with Pooja Vastrakar getting introduced in Meghna Singh’s place. Meghna had been a tad expensive in the two overs that she had bowled, and Mithali will hope Pooja is able to assist Goswami better in maintaining the pressure. Mooney, meanwhile, collects her first boundary with a lovely cover drive in the fifth ball. Four from the over.

After 5 overs,Australia Women 16/1 ( Beth Mooney 5 , Meg Lanning (C) 5)

Lanning keeps the scoreboard ticking as she collects a brace with a punch through cover point in the penultimate delivery. Goswami has been sharp so far in her spell.

Can India help set a new record tonight?

The shortest completed 4th innings in a women’s Test lasted 38.3 overs...Ind v Eng, 1995-96. Australia should survive!

— Ric Finlay (@RicFinlay) October 3, 2021

After 4 overs,Australia Women 14/1 ( Beth Mooney 5 , Meg Lanning (C) 3)

Mooney works the ball behind square for a single off the second delivery. Dot off the third, as Meghna gets the ball to nearly kiss the outside edge with a late outswinger to Lanning. The Aussie skipper then opens her account with a cover drive that allows her to run three. Mooney punches a back-of-length ball in front of square in the last delivery to collect a brace.

After 3 overs,Australia Women 8/1 ( Beth Mooney 2 , Meg Lanning (C) 0)

Goswami with the breakthrough! Healy will be livid with herself for wasting a positive start as she chops the ball onto her stumps to depart for 6, bringing her captain to the crease. Less than 30 overs left, but India will suddenly be fancying their chances after that dismissal!

BOWLED! Goswami’s experience once again pays off for the Indians! Healy departs after chopping a length ball onto her stumps while looking for a cut. The veteran seamer draws first blood! AUS 8/1

Healy b Goswami 6(5)

After 2 overs,Australia Women 7/0 ( Alyssa Healy (W) 6 , Beth Mooney 1)

Meghna Singh, right-arm medium, from the other end. Starts off on an expensive note as Healy pulls a back-of-length delivery outside off towards the wide long on fence. The keeper-bat then drives through cover for a single next ball. Mooney taps the ball towards mid off for a quick single to get off the mark. Meghna ends the over with a beautiful away-swinger.

After 1 over,Australia Women 1/0 ( Alyssa Healy (W) 1 , Beth Mooney 0)

Healy’s off the mark right away, collecting a single off the first delivery. Mooney gets a full delivery next up, which she taps towards mid on for a dot, before leaving an inswinger alone in the third ball. Blocks the fourth one, and is beaten by one that nips away in the fifth. Lovely setup so far from Goswami, who ends the over with a back-of-length outswinger.

Jhulan Goswami with the new ball in hand, bowling the first over as usual. Alyssa Healy on strike, opening the innings in the company of Beth Mooney.

It will take a batting collapse of epic proportions for Australia to get bundled out inside 32 overs, though one can never quite rule out the impossible, especially considering how good India’s bowling unit has been in this game. Early wickets crucial for India if they are to dream of winning on pink-ball debut. For the Aussies, a block-a-thon is all that will suffice.

The mystery surrounding Mithali’s declaration!

Why did India declare now, when no side can win?

Mithali Raaz, I suppose.

— Abhishek Mukherjee (@ovshake42) October 3, 2021

After 37 overs,India Women 135/3 ( Punam Raut 41 , Deepti Sharma 3)

Five off Gardner’s 10th over, including a boundary to Raut in the third delivery as she skips down the track and smacks towards long on, where McGrath gets her hand on the ball but is unable to prevent the boundary. And India have finally declared their innings, with Punam remaining unbeaten nine short of her fifty.

Australia have been set a target of 271 with another hour-and-a-half left in the day’s play aside from the 30-minute extension.

After 36 overs,India Women 130/3 ( Punam Raut 36 , Deepti Sharma 3)

Quiet over from Wareham, with Deepti and Raut collecting a single each. Another 35 overs left in the day’s play, which doesn’t look enough for the Jhulan Goswami-led attack to collect 10 wickets and win the game. Raut and Deepti playing for a draw from here seems like likely conclusion. India lead by 266.

After 35 overs,India Women 128/3 ( Punam Raut 35 , Deepti Sharma 2)

FOUR! Raut gets down on one knee and slog-sweeps towards the cow corner boundary off Gardner in the penultimate delivery of this over. Five from the over, with Deepti having collected a single earlier. India lead by 264.

After 34 overs,India Women 123/3 ( Punam Raut 31 , Deepti Sharma 1)

Wareham strikes, breaking the partnership just as it was about to touch the 50-mark, trapping Verma leg-before to send the opener back to the pavilion after a well-made 52. Out walks Deepti Sharma at No 5, and the approach perhaps will be the same — attack. Two from the over along with the wicket. India lead by 259.

OUT! Maiden Test wicket for Georgia Wareham as she traps Shafali Verma LBW, the opener’s innings finally coming to an end. Partnership broken just when it was about to touch the fifty mark. IND 122/3
 

Verma LBW Wareham 52(91)

After 33 overs,India Women 121/2 ( Shafali Verma 52 , Punam Raut 30)

Just two singles off Gardner’s eighth over. Umpire goes upstairs over a faint run-out appeal in the last ball after a throw from long off towards the striker’s end, where Verma had grounded her bat in time.

After 32 overs,India Women 119/2 ( Shafali Verma 51 , Punam Raut 29)

Georgia Wareham brought into the attack from the other end after tea. Raut, meanwhile, goes on the offensive against the leg-spinner, collecting two boundaries in three deliveries, off a cover drive and a slog towards deep midwicket respectively. Eight off the over. India’s lead stretches past 250.

After 31 overs,India Women 111/2 ( Shafali Verma 51 , Punam Raut 21)

FOUR! Raut collects a boundary off the second delivery of the session, stepping down to Gardner and driving past mid off to move to 20. Retains the strike with a single off the last ball. India’s lead stretches to 247.

No declaration from Mithali Raj during the tea interval! Are the Indians playing for a draw here, or are they looking for another quick 20-30 runs before setting a target, and giving themselves around 30 overs to get 10 wickets?

Anyway, it’s Gardner continuing after the break, with Raut on strike on 16.

Shafali Verma just being Shafali Verma
 

That cross-bat shot Verma plays straight down the ground is utterly ridiculous. #AUSvIND

— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) October 3, 2021

After 30 overs,India Women 106/2 ( Shafali Verma 51 , Punam Raut 16)

FOUR! Shafali Verma brings up her third Test half-century in style with a slap down the ground off Molineux! She gets to the milestone in 86 deliveries, collecting six boundaries along the way.

And that will be Tea on the final day of the pink-ball Test! India end the session with a lead of 242, and it remains to be seen if Mithali declares during the interval.

After 29 overs,India Women 100/2 ( Shafali Verma 46 , Punam Raut 15)

Three singles collected in Gardner’s sixth over, with Verma and Raut rotating the strike between themselves, as the 100 comes up for the Indians. India lead by 236.

After 28 overs,India Women 97/2 ( Shafali Verma 44 , Punam Raut 14)

Raut grabs a double with a drive through midwicket off the first delivery but is unable to find the gaps in the next set of deliveries. One off the over. Another two-three overs before tea is called on the final day. India’s lead worth 233 at the moment. Does Mithali think that’s enough for a declaration?

After 27 overs,India Women 95/2 ( Shafali Verma 44 , Punam Raut 12)

Gardner surprises Healy with a topspinner that kicks up unexpectedly in the second delivery. Verma drives through midwicket in the third ball for a single. Raut dances down the track, but only ends up driving towards mid off for a dot in the penultimate delivery. Raut keeps the strike with a single off the last ball.

After 26 overs,India Women 93/2 ( Shafali Verma 43 , Punam Raut 11)

Molineux starts off with a couple of dots, before firing one down the leg side that Raut promptly sweeps towards fine leg for her first boundary. Couple of singles added to the Indian total after that four. Six from the over, with India’s lead worth 229. A little over 20 minutes left for tea, and India will hope their lead touches the 250-mark by then, which could give Mithali the cushion to declare and go for the kill.

After 25 overs,India Women 87/2 ( Shafali Verma 42 , Punam Raut 6)

Verma collects a single at the start of the over to move to 42. Raut’s denied a single in the fourth delivery after non-striker Verma’s foot not come along the way. Raut keeps the strike with a single off the last ball. Two from the over.

After 24 overs,India Women 85/2 ( Shafali Verma 41 , Punam Raut 5)

Raut gets on top of the bounce off a back-of-length delivery from Molineux, cutting it behind point for a brace in the fourth delivery. Another brace in the next delivery, this time thanks to an overthrow from mid on. Four from the over. India lead by 221.

After 23 overs,India Women 81/2 ( Shafali Verma 41 , Punam Raut 1)

Verma edges the ball through the vacant slip region to collect an easy double at the start of Gardner’s third over. Grabs another brace two balls later, this time guiding the ball towards fine leg. Couple of singles added to the Indian total in the remaining deliveries.

After 22 overs,India Women 75/2 ( Shafali Verma 36 , Punam Raut 0)

Verma works the ball down the ground towards long on in the fourth delivery for a single. Molineux, meanwhile sets a packed field around Raut for the last two balls. Just one off the over. Another 49 overs left in the day’s play after this.

After 21 overs,India Women 74/2 ( Shafali Verma 35 , Punam Raut 0)

Shafali escapes a run out chance at the non-striker’s end after being sent back by Bhatia. Punam Raut walks in at two-down, and there’s an appeal for a catch at short leg off a deflection off Healy’s gloves, but the umpire turns it down. Wicket-maiden for Gardner — terrific effort from her after that superb catch to dismiss Mandhana. India lead by 210

BOWLED! Bhatia’s completely beaten this time by a delivery that straightens after pitching along middle and leg, brushing her pad before hitting timber. Bhatia’s promotion doesn’t quite work for the Indians as she departs for 12. After the terrific grab earlier, Gardner causes another dismissal, this time with the ball in hand IND 74/2

Bhatia b Gardner 3(12)

After 20 overs,India Women 74/1 ( Shafali Verma 35 , Yastika Bhatia 3)

Bhatia pulls towards the midwicket region in the second delivery, collecting a single. Verma runs the ball down the ground two balls later, also for a single. Bhatia keeps the strike with a single off the last delivery.

That’s some grab by Ash G!

A boundary-line blinder from Ashleigh Gardner! #AUSvIND | @CommBank pic.twitter.com/SQh7gL4ivB

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) October 3, 2021

After 19 overs,India Women 71/1 ( Shafali Verma 34 , Yastika Bhatia 1)

Spin from both ends, as Ash Gardner is given the ball by Lanning in place of Sutherland. She starts off with a slip and a silly mid off in place for Bhatia, who gets off the mark with a single off the last delivery.

After 18 overs,India Women 70/1 ( Shafali Verma 34 , Yastika Bhatia 0)

Spin introduced now as Sophie Molineux replaces Stella Campbell, with the hosts desperate for a breakthrough. Verma rocks back and pats the ball down the ground for a single off the third delivery. Long on, meanwhile is brought up as Molineux prepares to bowl from over the wicket to Mandhana. Gardner pulls off a stunner in the penultimate delivery after a loft down the ground by Mandhana off the spinner, resulting in the breakthrough for the Aussies. Out walks Yastika Bhatia at No 3, with the diktat for the Indian batters remaining the same — collect as many runs as quickly as possible. Excellent over from Molineux, with a run coming off it along with the wicket.

OUT! Gardner finally grabs one after a couple of missed chances earlier, as Mandhana’s dismissed while looking for a big hit off Molineux! Superb effort on Gardner’s part, timing her diving accordingly to grab this low catch. IND 70/1

Mandhana c Gardner b Molineux 31(48)

After 17 overs,India Women 69/0 ( Shafali Verma 33 , Smriti Mandhana 31)

Couple of singles added to the Indian total as the lead goes past 200, before Mandhana lofts the ball over extra cover to collect her sixth boundary and move to 31.

After 16 overs,India Women 63/0 ( Shafali Verma 32 , Smriti Mandhana 26)

The boundaries continue to flow after drinks as Verma cuts behind square off a back-of-length delivery from Campbell, as the lead inches closer to the 200-mark. Mandhana once again gets a thick top-edge off an attempted pull that falls short of Gardner at deep square leg. Four singles added to the Indian total after the boundary off the first delivery. The partnership, meanwhile, goes past the 60-mark.

What a response from the feisty opener after a barrage of short balls
 

Audacious!😁 @TheShafaliVerma | #AUSvIND | #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/HjnBaoBKxA

— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) October 3, 2021

After 15 overs,India Women 55/0 ( Shafali Verma 26 , Smriti Mandhana 24)

Lanning continues to shuffle her bowlers around as she brings Annabel Sutherland into the attack now in place of Tahlia McGrath. Starts off with four dots, before Mandhana plays a length ball going away from her with soft hands, allowing the ball to run away past short third for her fifth boundary. Four off the over, and that’ll be drinks.

After 14 overs,India Women 51/0 ( Shafali Verma 26 , Smriti Mandhana 20)

The boundaries continue to flow for the Indians as Verma begins Campbell’s third over, driving past mid off with superb timing as she joins Mandhana in the 20s. Good response from Campbell after the boundary though, firing a lot of short balls at the diminutive opener to keep her on the back foot for the next four balls. Verma, though, has the last laugh in the final delivery, slapping the short ball towards midwicket to bring up the fifty stand with Mandhana!

After 13 overs,India Women 43/0 ( Shafali Verma 18 , Smriti Mandhana 20)

Mandhana advances down the track to McGrath in the second delivery, showing complete fearlessness there, and pulling behind square. Collects only a single, but it was more of a display of intent from the southpaw. Sloppy work by Healy next ball to allow a bye. Mandhana ends the over in style, clearing her front leg and lofting over mid off for her fourth boundary.

After 12 overs,India Women 37/0 ( Shafali Verma 18 , Smriti Mandhana 15)

Verma ducks as Campbell fires a short one at her in the fourth delivery. Follows up with a poor delivery, the ball straying down leg and beating Healy to run away for four byes. Four off the over.

After 11 overs,India Women 33/0 ( Shafali Verma 18 , Smriti Mandhana 15)

Change from both ends, as Tahlia McGrath gets introduced into the attack, with Ellyse Perry getting a break. Starts off on a tidy note, giving away just one off it as Verma collects a single off the third delivery.

After 10 overs,India Women 32/0 ( Shafali Verma 17 , Smriti Mandhana 15)

First bowling change of the innings, as debutante Stella Campbell replaces Darcie Brown. Verma collects a single off the third delivery. DROPPED! Gardner puts down a tough, low chance at deep square leg after Mandhana gets a top-edge off an attempted pull in the final delivery. The balls rolls further towards the boundary, allowing the southpaw to grab a brace. Three off the over. Has been a decent start from the Indians so far.

After 9 overs,India Women 29/0 ( Shafali Verma 16 , Smriti Mandhana 13)

Perry switches to round the wicket to Mandhana in this over. Mandhana, meanwhile, pulls a short delivery from Perry towards the square leg fence to collect her third boundary, and move to double figures. Perry keeps it tight for the remainder of the over.

After 8 overs,India Women 25/0 ( Shafali Verma 16 , Smriti Mandhana 9)

Brown drifts down leg at the start of the over, and Verma makes the most of it with a wristy flick that fetches her her second boundary. India certainly starting to accelerate after a cautious start. Collects a brace five balls later with a cut through cover point.

After 7 overs,India Women 19/0 ( Shafali Verma 10 , Smriti Mandhana 9)

Verma flicks behind square off a full delivery from Perry, collecting an easy single. Lovely effort by McGrath at mid off to save a run or three for her side after a well-timed drive by Mandhana, who’s restricted to a single. Verma retains the strike with a single off the last delivery.

After 6 overs,India Women 16/0 ( Shafali Verma 8 , Smriti Mandhana 8)

Another boundary for Mandhana, this time off a thick top-edge that results in the ball sailing over the keeper’s head, and landing just short of long stop. Four off the over.

After 5 overs,India Women 12/0 ( Shafali Verma 8 , Smriti Mandhana 4)

FOUR! Now Verma collects her first boundary, although this was a streaky one and could’ve resulted in a superb catch by Mooney at second slip. Instead, it runs all the way to the third third fence. Follows it up with a lovely square drive for a brace two balls later. Good over for the Indians, with six coming off it.

After 4 overs,India Women 6/0 ( Shafali Verma 2 , Smriti Mandhana 4)

FOUR! Mandhana gets off the mark with style,  glancing at a full delivery along leg towards the fine leg fence. First boundary of the innings. Four from the over.

Could make the session even more interesting

Positive signs from the Indian camp. Yastika Bhatia is the batter padded up to come in at No 3 #AusvIND pic.twitter.com/L9t0n6ywtm

— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) October 3, 2021

After 3 overs,India Women 2/0 ( Shafali Verma 2 , Smriti Mandhana 0)

Maiden for Perry, the first of the innings, as Verma pokes the ball around without finding the gaps.

After 2 overs,India Women 2/0 ( Shafali Verma 2 , Smriti Mandhana 0)

Mandhana’s nearly run out in the penultimate delivery after responding to Verma’s call for a quick single, with Brown’s throw from gully narrowly missing the stumps. Just one off the over.

After 1 over,India Women 1/0 ( Shafali Verma 1 , Smriti Mandhana 0)

Perry starts off on a tidy note, conceding one off the first over of India’s second innings as Shafali Verma gets off the mark with a single in the fifth delivery.

First innings centurion Smriti Mandhana arrives at the crease at the start of the second session of the final day in the company of Shafali Verma as the pair hope to get some quick runs on the board. Ellyse Perry with the first over of the innings.

Lanning increased the interest in the game ten-fold after that decision!

Admirable cricket from Lanning to keep it as open as possible after all the lost time. Like it a lot. A shame we don’t have a couple more sessions but it’s just about game on with two to go. #AUSvIND

— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) October 3, 2021

The perfect finish that this landmark Test deserves!

Both sides go feral with the bat and it comes down to Australia needing four off the last ball. You know you want it(It won't happen). #AUSvIND

— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) October 3, 2021

After 96.4 overs,Australia Women 241/9 ( Ellyse Perry 68 , Stella Campbell 0)

Australia have declared on 241/9! Interesting call from Meg Lanning to bring the innings to an end with a wicket left, as she’s happy to concede a 136-run first innings lead to the visitors to make a game out of a match that looked set for a draw. Perry, meanwhile, remains unbeaten on 68, and has regained her form with the bat with a terrific knock in what should be great news for the hosts.

Does this open up the possibility for Team India to register a historic victory in their maiden pink-ball Test? We’ll find out after 40 minutes as the visitors begin their second innings after dinner.

After 96 overs,Australia Women 240/9 ( Ellyse Perry 67 , Stella Campbell 0)

Australia continue to tumble, losing their ninth wicket as Deepti traps Brown leg-before in the final delivery of the 96th over. Brown played for the turn, looking to pull on the back foot, but the delivery held its line and hit her plumb in front of middle. Looks like the session has been extended after that dismissal.

OUT! Deepti strikes just before dinner, beating Brown with an arm ball to trap her plumb in front of middle as Australia lose their ninth wicket. AUS 240/9

Brown LBW Deepti 8(18)

After 95 overs,Australia Women 240/8 ( Ellyse Perry 67 , Darcie Brown 8)

Vastrakar continues from the other end. Perry collects her ninth boundary with a pull behind square in the third delivery, moving to 67. LBW appeal two balls later against Perry, but was going down leg, and a couple of leg byes are added to the total. Less than five minutes left for dinner.

After 94 overs,Australia Women 234/8 ( Ellyse Perry 63 , Darcie Brown 8)

Deepti Sharma returns to the attack, replacing Meghna Singh. Darcie Brown, meanwhile, collects her second boundary, working the ball behind square on the leg side. All her runs have come off boundaries so far.

After 93 overs,Australia Women 230/8 ( Ellyse Perry 63 , Darcie Brown 4)

DROPPED! Taniya Bhatia puts down a chance behind the stumps after a thick nick off Perry’s bat. That could’ve wrapped the Aussie innings up quickly, but it looks like Vastrakar will have to wait a while longer for her fourth wicket. Bhatia tried grabbing that with one hand, and that seemed to be her undoing. Perry steers the ball behind square off a fuller delivery in the fifth ball to grab a brace. Two from the over.

After 92 overs,Australia Women 228/8 ( Ellyse Perry 61 , Darcie Brown 4)

Meghna continues. One off the first ball. Followed by a dot. New batter Brown then hits her for a boundary to long off. That means India have to bat again as Aussies have avoided the follow on. Five off the over.

After 91 overs,Australia Women 223/8 ( Ellyse Perry 60 , Darcie Brown 0)

Vastrakar comes into the attack, break for Goswami who has been bowling really well. One off the first ball and then second off the third ball. Vastraka removes Wareham on the penultimate delivery to cause more misery for the Aussies.

OUT! Vastrakar removes Wareham, nice fullish outswinger and that takes the outside edge and carries to the keeper. Australia lose their eighth wicket. Wareham c Bhatia b Vastrakar 2(11)

After 90 overs,Australia Women 220/7 ( Ellyse Perry 59 , Georgia Wareham 0)

Meghna continues. Good over from her. A maiden from her. Australia Women trail by 157 runs.

After 89 overs,Australia Women 220/7 ( Ellyse Perry 59 , Georgia Wareham 0)

Jhulan is bowling exceptionally well here. Top spell this with the second new ball and her tidy spell has ensured Meghna has got wickets at the other end. Both bowlers have ensured the pressure in intact at both ends. Australia need 8 to avoid the follow-on.

After 88 overs,Australia Women 220/7 ( Ellyse Perry 59 , Georgia Wareham 0)

Meghna continues. Touch chance at gully for Deepti, spilled. Perry survives. But Molineux doesn’t as Meghna traps her in front of stumps with inswing. India are so good with the second new ball.

OUT! Lovely delivery from Meghna, movement in air, inswing that dones in Molineux, caught on front foot. Seventh wicket down for Australia and they still trail by 157. They are in big trouble here. Molineux lbw b Meghna Singh 2(14)

After 87 overs,Australia Women 219/6 ( Ellyse Perry 58 , Sophie Molineux 2)

Goswami continues. Slants across first four balls to Molinuex and then bowls a yorker that is evaded well by the left-handed batter. Last ball, fuller, away swinger that lures Molineux to drive, ball misses the outside edge by a whisker. Australia Women trail by 158 runs.

After 86 overs, Australia Women 219/6 (Ellyse Perry 58, Sophie Molineux 2)

Meghna continues. Nice lines to Molinuex. Two on the third ball and then one byes on the last. Three off the over. Australia Women trail by 158 runs.

After 85 overs, Australia Women 215/6 (Ellyse Perry 58, Sophie Molineux 0)

Goswami continues. Lovely over from Jhulan again. Bowling into the uncertain corridor. There was a huge mix up between Perry and new batter in Molineux. But no damage done. India dominating this phase of the match with the second new ball. Australia Women trail by 161 runs.

After 84 overs,Australia Women 216/6 ( Ellyse Perry 58 , Sophie Molineux 0)

Power-packed drive on the up from Sutherland at the start of the over and excellent piece of fielding from Rodrigues to stop it from going across the boundary. Meghna removes her on the penultimate ball of the over to pick her first Test wicket and what a way to do that. Outstanding delivery that, out-swinger that could have tricked the best in the business. Australia Women trail by 161 runs.

OUT! Meghna removes Sutherland to pick up her maiden Test wicket. Lovely delivery, on good length and swung late, drawing batter forward, kissed the outside  edge and to the keeper. Sutherland c Bhatia b Meghna Singh 3(20)

After 83 overs,Australia Women 214/5 ( Ellyse Perry 58 , Annabel Sutherland 1)

Jhulan continues. She is spot on with her length. Sutherland gets off the mark after 15 deliveries, first run in Test cricket for her. An uppish drive to covers for a single. Just that one run from the over. Australia Women trail by 163 runs.

After 82 overs,Australia Women 213/5 ( Ellyse Perry 58 , Annabel Sutherland 0)

Drinks break called after end of 81st over. Meghna to share the new ball with Jhulan. Starts off with two dots. Then a double is taken. Three off the over. Australia Women trail by 164 runs.

After 81 overs,Australia Women 210/5 ( Ellyse Perry 56 , Annabel Sutherland 0)

80 overs gone. The second new ball available for India and they have taken it as well. Jhulan gets a go first with it. Tidy over from Indian pace spearhead. Sutherland happy to play six dots on the trot.

Gold standard!

If you think Perry's Test batting average of 84.75* is incredible, I should mention that she averages 459 over the last three Tests.

459. No decimal point. 459.00.

*Will change after this innings

— Abhishek Mukherjee (@ovshake42) October 3, 2021

After 80 overs,Australia Women 210/5 ( Ellyse Perry 56 , Annabel Sutherland 0)

Perry is the crucial wicket here now for Aussies after fall of Gardner. Sutherland is the new batter and she needs to ensure she is there giving support to Perry at the other end. Australia Women trail by 167 runs

After 79 overs,Australia Women 208/5 ( Ellyse Perry 54 , Annabel Sutherland 0)

Deepti strikes as Gardner loses her wicket. Australia lose half of their side and debutant Annabel Sutherland, RHB, comes to the crease. A maiden wicket for Deepti. Australia Women trail by 169 runs.

OUT! Gardner is gone as Deepti picks up her first wicket. Flight given, Gardner wanted to dispatch it over the mid off fielder but could not connect well and caught by Mithali at mid off. Gardner c Mithali b Deepti Sharma 51(86)

After 78 overs,India Women 210/2 ( Punam Raut 34 , Mithali Raj (C) 9)

Gayakwad continues. Half-century comes up for Gardner. Good knock so far. Got her chances but made use of those. Australia now dominating this phase of the play. First hour tackled quite well. Australia Women trail by 169 runs.

After 77 overs,Australia Women 201/4 ( Ellyse Perry 54 , Ashleigh Gardner 44)

Deepti Sharma is back into the attack. Perry is looking dangerous now. 200 up for Australia as well in this over. Australia Women trail by 176 runs.

After 76 overs,Australia Women 199/4 ( Ellyse Perry 53 , Ashleigh Gardner 43)

Gayakwad continues. Width offer to Gardner and this is cut away for a boundary. Australians playing positively. Runs coming easily now. Two doubles ran after the boundary ball. Gardner moves into 40s as well. Australia Women trail by 178 runs.

After 75 overs,Australia Women 191/4 ( Ellyse Perry 53 , Ashleigh Gardner 35)

Meghna continues. Loose ball first up, short one and directed down leg side, Perry pulls it for a boundary. Flicks one bowled on legs for four runs to bring up her fifty. Fine knock this has been from the Aussie all-rounder. Australia Women trail by 186 runs.

After 74 overs,Australia Women 183/4 ( Ellyse Perry 45 , Ashleigh Gardner 35)

Deepti continues. Leg gully, short leg and a mid-wicket in place. Deepti then falters and bowls on way outside the off, quite opposite to the field set for Gardner and the batter hits it for a boundary. Australia need 45 to avoid follow-on.

After 73 overs,Australia Women 177/4 ( Ellyse Perry 44 , Ashleigh Gardner 30)

Meghna Singh back into the attack, replaces Gayakwad and you wonder why? Gayakwad was bowling well but Mithali surely has other ideas. Just one off the over. Australia Women trail by 200 runs.

After 72 overs, Australia Women 176/4 (Ellyse Perry 44, Ashleigh Gardner 29)

Deepti continues. Gardner’s eyes lit up as Deepti tosses it up, wanted to drive it through covers but missed it completely. Perry stepped out again and this time checked her shot, the outside edge went to silly point fielder but was a touch chance. Nice shot on the last ball on the off side, cut off by Meghna Singh. Four off the over. Australia Women trail by 201 runs.

After 71 overs, Australia Women 172/4 (Ellyse Perry 41, Ashleigh Gardner 28)

Gayakwad continues. Gardner steps out and puts one away for four down the ground. That’s one way to tackle spin. Good comeback from Gayakwad as she bowls some lovely arm balls. Four off the over. Australia Women trail by 205 runs.

After 70 overs, Australia Women 168/4 (Ellyse Perry 41, Ashleigh Gardner 24)

Deepti continues. Nice loop from Deepti to Gardner. She is forcing the batter to play on the up. Good attacking field with a silly point and short leg in place along with a slip. Perry using her feet to play Deepti’s off spin. One off the over. Australia Women trail by 209 runs.

After 69 overs, Australia Women 167/4 (Ellyse Perry 41, Ashleigh Gardner 23)

Gayakwad continues. She is bowling well. Luring the batters to play the shots. One odd bad ball in the over, short and wide, Perry transfers weight on back foot and guides it behind point for four runs. Perry is into 40s now. Australia Women trail by 210 runs.

After 68 overs, Australia Women 162/4 (Ellyse Perry 37, Ashleigh Gardner 22)

Deepti continues. Gayakwad unlucky twice in the last over. Had got Perry right in front of the stumps. But the LBW appeal turned down. Tracker shows that it would have crashed the stumps. In this over, Perry almost flicked one to the mid-wicket. One off the over.  Australia Women trail by 215 runs.

After 67 overs, Australia Women 161/4 (Ellyse Perry 37, Ashleigh Gardner 21)

Spin from both the ends. Rajeshwari Gayakwad is back into the attack. Catching chance goes down at backward point as Gardner cuts and it goes to the right of Vastrakar who spills it. Just one off the over. Australia Women trail by 216 runs.

After 66 overs, Australia Women 160/4 (Ellyse Perry 37, Ashleigh Gardner 20)

Deepti Sharma back into the attack. Perry sweeps her for four on the second ball. Wrong line that, down leg, and easy runs on offer for Perry. Four off the over. Australia Women trail by 217 runs.

After 65 overs, Australia Women 156/4 (Ellyse Perry 33, Ashleigh Gardner 20)

Goswami continues. Perry plays a good on drive but it is cut off nicely by the fielder. The last ball came in sharply to Perry, hit the inside edge and went to square leg, the batters ran a quick single. Just one off the over.

After 64 overs, Australia Women 155/4 (Ellyse Perry 32, Ashleigh Gardner 20)

A full, in-swinging delivery, takes inside edge of the bat and runs away for four runs to fine leg boundary. Unlucky there Vastrakar. Next ball, she beats the outside edge. Bowling well Indians in this spell.

After 63 overs, Australia Women 151/4 (Ellyse Perry 32, Ashleigh Gardner 16)

Huge appeal from Goswami on the second ball as the ball leaves Perry’s bat to the keeper, inches away from the outside edge. Goswami definitely heard something that the umpire did not, turned down. Just one off the over.

After 62 overs,Australia Women 150/4 ( Ellyse Perry 32, Ashleigh Gardner 15)

Vastrakar bowls from the other end. Perry tickles the first ball down for four runs. That brings up Australia’s 150. This stand has steadied hosts. Four off the over.

After 61 overs,Australia Women 146/4 (Ellyse Perry 28, Ashleigh Gardner 15)

Goswami bowls. Good, positive start from Perry as she taps and runs a quick single. Garnder plays four dots before playing a cover drive for a double. Three off the over.

Perry and Gardner in the middle, resume innings. 

Jhulan Goswami with the ball in hand. 

Here we go!

Anyone for five days of Test cricket?

In Aus since 2000, wickets in women's Tests have been taken at the rate of 64.44 balls per wicket. If you want a 40-wicket Test, then that requires 2578 balls - but at 600 a day for 4 days, we are 30 overs short - we need 4.3 days. The same calculation for men is 4.73 days. /2

— Ric Finlay (@RicFinlay) October 3, 2021

Perry  

Alyssa Healy revealed a typically nice touch from Ellyse Perry today. When offered the ball after the inns as a keepsake for her 300th intl wicket, she declined - suggesting it should be given to debutante & first-time wicket-taker Stella Campbell instead #AUSvIND

— Adam Burnett (@AdamBurnett09) October 2, 2021

What a contest that was!

What a contest this was! Alyssa Healy talks us through her battle with Jhulan Goswami on the Gold Coast #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/x24urUG3S1

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) October 3, 2021

India dictated terms to mighty Australia, who did everything they could to survive the difficult overs under lights and finish the third day of the rain-marred pink ball Test at 143 for four in Gold Coast on Saturday.

Read Day 3 report here.

Hello and welcome to our coverage of the one-off Test between Australia and India going on at Carrara Oval in Queensland. Elysse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner will resume Australia’s first innings from overnight score of 143/4 as India aim early wickets. In all likelihood, this Test heads to a draw on the final day but you can never say never in this format of the sport. 

Watch this space for all updates. Action resumes at 9.30 am IST.