Australia claimed a slim advantage in its one-off Test against India at the WACA Ground in Perth after closing the day 102 runs behind with seven wickets in hand on a frantic opening day on which thirteen wickets fell.

Australia skipper Alyssa Healy opted to bowl first after winning the toss in her final international match, and the move paid early dividends as debutant Lucy Hamilton bowled Smriti Mandhana for just four to claim her maiden Test wicket.

Shafali Verma and Pratika Rawal (one of four debutants for India alongside Kashvee Gautam, Kranti Gaud, and Sayali Satghare) rallied briefly to move the scoreboard past fifty, but Annabel Sutherland induced a nick behind from Shafali to trigger India’s slide.

The lanky all-rounder claimed three of her four wickets as India slipped to 107 for five during the first session.

Jemimah Rodrigues provided the strongest resistance for India, scoring her fourth Test half-century and adding 43 with Richa Ghosh. However, both batters fell in consecutive overs, and Kashvee Gautam’s unbeaten 34 could only delay the inevitable as India was bowled out for 198.

Along with Sutherland’s four-wicket haul, Hamilton claimed three wickets and Darcie Brown two.

That India remains alive in the game can be attributed to an incisive spell of new-ball bowling in which Sayali and Kranti both claimed their maiden Test wickets. Sayali bowled Georgia Voll a peach that swung from outside off-stump to hit leg-stump, while Kranti removed Phoebe Litchfield courtesy of an athletic diving catch from Jemimah at backward point.

Litchfield’s dismissal brought Healy to the crease. The veteran wicketkeeper-batter consolidated with Ellyse Perry to help Australia past fifty, before falling on 13 after slashing Satghare to point in the closing minutes of the day.

Sutherland took her place at the crease, and helped Australia to 96 for three at the close of play, trailing by 102 runs.

India can no longer win the larger multi-format series, trailing 8-4 after winning the T20I series and getting whitewashed in the ODIs. However, it can still secure a draw with victory in Perth.

Published on Mar 06, 2026