Kranti’s five-for, Smriti’s unbeaten knock put India on top

Sometime next week, Kranti Gaud will go where no woman ever has. Up on the honours board at Lord’s.

She took five wickets to earn that distinction in spectacular fashion on Saturday. More importantly, she bowled India to a commanding position in the first ever women’s Test at the home of cricket.

A sensational spell from the 22-year-old saw the England first innings crumble. The host was rattled by her pace and relentless accuracy and was bowled out for 170, giving India a handsome lead of 115.

Then batting a second time, India ended day two at 154 for one, a lead of 269.

The English women have indeed a battle on their hands. They had resumed at 21 for one on another glorious summer day, but before long, it was all gloom for them.

Maia Bouchier was the first victim of Kranti on the day. The opener tried to cut a ball that was too far away from her and edged to Yastika Bhatia, who took over the wicketkeeping duty from Richa Ghosh.

Then Sayali Satghare got Heather Knight to square up and had her in front. Kranti beat Alice Capsey’s defensive bat and knocked off her off stump.

At 47 for four, Amy Jones joined her captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, and added 84 for the fifth wicket. Jones (52, 62b, 6×4) batted her way back into form, but she was snapped up at short leg by Richa off Sneh Rana.

England had hopes as long as the captain was there. Sciver-Brunt is not just an accomplished batter but has nerves of steel, too. But on this day, even she could not do much against Kranti, who trapped her leg-before with a ball that nipped back.

After Sayali and Sneh scalped one apiece, Kranti finally got her history-making fifth wicket, though in dramatic style. Sneh was not able to hold on to the catch from Eccleston at slip, but Shafali Verma completed it with a diving effort. It was only the third time that an Indian seamer was taking a five-wicket haul in a Test, after Gargi Banerjee and Jhulan Goswami.

It looks Smriti Mandhana is also determined to be on that honours board. After the missed opportunity in the first innings, she should be keen to get a hundred in the second.

Smriti (69 batting, 124b, 9×4, 1×6) and Yastika (39 batting, 73b, 4×4) have added 66 for the unbroken second wicket. Smriti’s first-wicket stand with Shafali (33, 55b, 7×4) was worth 88.