Australia Bowl Out India For 198 As Sutherland And Hamilton Shine In Pink-Ball Test

Australia’s fast bowlers produced an impressive display to dismiss India for 198 on the opening day of the one-off pink-ball Test at the WACA Ground in Perth on Friday.

Annabel Sutherland spearheaded the attack with figures of 4-46, while debutant pacer Lucy Hamilton delivered an excellent performance by claiming 3-31 in her first Test match.

Australia captain Alyssa Healy, featuring in her final international appearance, chose to bowl first after winning the toss. Her bowlers capitalised on the lively surface and removed Indian batters at regular intervals, preventing them from building significant partnerships.

Jemimah Rodrigues emerged as India’s most reliable batter, scoring a well-constructed 52. The innings marked her fourth half-century in Test cricket and her second against Australia.

Debutant Kashvee Gautam also contributed with a determined unbeaten 34 from 54 deliveries, offering some resistance in the lower order.

However, India struggled to adjust to the challenges of the longer format, especially as this was their first Test match since June 2024.

Hamilton Makes Memorable Debut

India began their innings cautiously, but Smriti Mandhana fell early when Lucy Hamilton bowled her with a sharp delivery that broke through her defence to claim her first Test wicket.

Shafali Verma played an attacking knock, hitting six boundaries during her 35 from 48 balls. Her innings ended when she edged Annabel Sutherland behind while attempting an ambitious drive.

Pratika Rawal managed 18 before slicing a wide ball from Sutherland to the gully fielder. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur attempted to take the attack to the bowlers but was bowled for 19 by Darcie Brown after being beaten by late movement.

During the second session, Sutherland dismissed Deepti Sharma early before Jemimah Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh added a short partnership worth 23 runs.

Ashleigh Gardner then removed Richa, while Rodrigues departed for 52 after flicking Hamilton to square leg.

Hamilton continued her impressive spell by dismissing Sneh Rana, completing a three-wicket haul on her debut.

India’s lower order showed brief resistance as Kashvee Gautam survived a dropped chance before adding some useful runs alongside the tail.

Later, Sutherland forced Sayali to top-edge a pull shot, and Darcie Brown wrapped up the innings when Kranti Gaud was caught at first slip.

Brief Scores:- India: 198 all out in 62.4 overs (Jemimah Rodrigues 52, Shafali Verma 35; Annabel Sutherland 4-46, Lucy Hamilton 3-31) against Australia.

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