Day-night Test cricket brought high drama at WACA as hosts Australia bowled out India for 198 in the first innings. Annabel Sutherland’s lethal bowling – 4/46 from 17 overs – proved decisive, exposing frailties in the Indian batting on a challenging surface.
Toss loser Alyssa Healy’s bold call to bowl first triggered an early breakthrough: Smriti Mandhana out for 4. Prathika Raval countered with 18 runs and three fours before succumbing to Sutherland. Shefali Verma’s 35 offered hope, swiftly extinguished.
Jemimah Rodrigues shone brightest, compiling 52 off 84 balls with seven boundaries in a display of maturity beyond her years. Sadly, partners failed her: skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (19), Deepti Sharma (7), Richa Ghosh (11 from 41), Sneha Rana (5), Kranti Gaud (1), and Sayali Satghare (7) faltered.
Kasvi Gautam carried her bat for 34 off 54, unbeaten. Australia’s attack was relentless – Lucy Hamilton (3/31), Darcy Brown (2 wickets), Ashley Gardner (1). The procession of dismissals on Perth’s bouncy track underscored India’s adaptation struggles to pink ball conditions.
With Australia yet to bat, Sutherland’s clinical performance has given them the upper hand in this rare women’s Test encounter.