Indian opener Smriti Mandhana shines on rain-affected first day

GOLD COAST: Indian opener Smriti Mandhana shined bright with her highest score in Test cricket before rain forced the closure of first day of the one-off pink-ball Test against Australia at Metricon Stadium here on Thursday.

At stumps on day one, India finished with 132/1 in 44.1 overs, with Smriti remaining unbeaten on 80. Punam Raut was the other unbeaten batter for India on 16, with the partnership for second wicket at 39.

Smriti went past her previous-best score in Tests, 78 against England in Bristol in June this year. She was fluent through off-side while hitting 15 boundaries and one six in her unconquered 144-ball knock to put India in a position of ascendancy in their first-ever pink-ball Test.

She also put an opening stand of 94 runs with Shafali Verma, who was the only wicket to fall in the day to left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux. Almost two hours were lost of the second session before play began. After 28 balls, rain made a comeback to ensure only 44.1 overs were possible on the first day.

Australia are currently leading the multi-format series 4-2 heading into the only Test, which carries four points for a win and two points in case of draw.

Brief scores: India 132/1 in 44.1 overs (Smriti Mandhana 80 not out, Shafali Verma 31, Sophie Molineux 1/18). IANS

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