PERTH: In a thrilling day-night Test at WACA Ground, Australia seized a commanding 125-run lead over India in the first innings on the second day of the match. The hosts were bowled out for 323, building on their strong position after a shaky start.
Australia stumbled early, losing three wickets for just 58 runs. But a resilient fourth-wicket partnership of 128 runs between Alice Perry and Annabel Sutherland turned the tide, pushing the score to 186. Perry departed after a gutsy 76 off 116 balls, featuring 10 fours and a six.
Sutherland then anchored the innings, adding 54 runs for the fifth wicket with Beth Mooney, who scored 19. Undeterred, Sutherland marched on to a magnificent 129 off 171 balls, laced with 17 boundaries, handing Australia the crucial lead. Lucy Hamilton chipped in with 23, while Alana King added 21.
India’s Sayali Satghare starred with 4-50, supported by Kranti Gaud and Deepti Sharma’s 2 wickets each. Sneha Rana and Shafali Verma picked up one apiece.
Earlier, India folded for 198. Jemimah Rodrigues top-scored with 52 off 84 balls (7 fours), Shafali Verma made 35, and Kashvi Gautam remained not out on 34. Australia’s Sutherland claimed 4 wickets, Hamilton 3, Darcy Brown 2, and Ashley Gardner 1.
This lone Test follows India’s losses in the T20I (2-1) and ODI (0-3) series Down Under. Both teams are now locked in this pink-ball battle, with Australia firmly in control.