Only Test, Day 3: India 285 & 341-7 dec; England 170 & 130-6

Two women etched their names into the record books at Lord’s on a day dominated by India, who are within touching distance of victory in the one-off Test after reducing England to 130 for six in their second innings.

Yastika Bhatia became the first woman to score a Test century at Lord’s as India built a huge lead before declaring at 341 for seven, giving them an advantage of 456 runs. Bhatia, who underwent anterior cruciate ligament surgery last year and spent months rebuilding her leg strength, was rewarded for her resilience and determination.

Bhatia expressed gratitude to her family and medical team, saying: “It’s unbelievable. Six months ago, I was in such a different place, and if someone had told me I’d have my name on the honours board, I wouldn’t have believed them.”

England’s reply began disastrously. Tammy Beaumont’s fairytale farewell quickly turned into a nightmare when Kranti Gaud bowled her for a golden duck, while Heather Knight – who had announced her retirement on Saturday evening – flicked a catch to Richa Ghosh at short leg for 13. Both departing legends were given guards of honour by the Indian fielders, but at 59 for five, England were staring at defeat.

Resistance came from Mady Villiers, who battled for 63 balls to score 26, and Amy Jones, who reached her second half-century of the match before the close, ensuring the contest would extend into a fourth day.

England’s only highlight on a difficult day was Sophie Ecclestone’s tireless spell, bowling through the first two sessions and taking five wickets. She trapped Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma lbw, tempted Bhatia into a misjudged drive to extra cover, and then bowled Sneh Rana to claim her place in history as the first woman to appear on the Lord’s home dressing room honours board.

“It’s pretty special,” said Ecclestone. “I’m in the Lord’s changing room for ever now.” She admitted to shedding tears before play after learning of Knight’s retirement. “She’s been there ever since my debut. To have her at extra cover cheering me on – I can’t imagine this team without her.”

Knight revealed she had known for three months that this would be her final Test but decided during the tea interval on Saturday to make the announcement that evening. “It just felt right,” she said.

“I grabbed Tammy [Beaumont] and apologised for stealing her moment as we left the field, and I told Nat [Sciver-Brunt] then too.”

Given Knight’s long-standing advocacy for women’s Test cricket, the timing of her decision may have surprised some, particularly as England were facing an uphill battle. Yet after conceding a 115-run deficit in the first innings, the move may have been an effort to inspire her team. Regardless, India’s dominance rendered the gesture largely symbolic.

India’s morning session was one of calm control, as they steadily extended their lead without taking risks.

By lunch, they were 365 ahead, but captain Harmanpreet Kaur opted to continue batting through the afternoon, allowing Richa Ghosh to race to a run-a-ball fifty before declaring.

England’s bowlers did find some success. Lauren Bell produced an impressive spell that might have changed the course of the match had it come earlier. Her first delivery of the day brushed the top of off stump but failed to dislodge the bails, sparing Bhatia. Instead, she dismissed another honours board hopeful, Smriti Mandhana, for 70 after a sharp catch from Amy Jones, which was confirmed by the TV umpire.

Four overs later, Bell bowled Jemimah Rodrigues with a delivery that nipped back, but she left the field soon afterwards with abdominal soreness and did not return. Although she is expected to be fit to bat on Monday, England’s chances of salvaging a draw look extremely slim.