Perth, March 6 (NationPress) In the one-off pink-ball Test at WACA Ground, Australia gained the advantage against India, concluding day one at 96/3 while trailing by 102 runs. Debutant Lucy Hamilton and Annabel Sutherland excelled with the ball on Friday.

In her final international match, skipper Alyssa Healy won the toss and opted to bat first under the intense heat. This decision proved fruitful as Annabel showcased remarkable swing and seam, claiming 4-46, while Lucy was precise and effective, taking 3-31, leading to India being dismissed for 198.

Others like Darcie Brown (2-41) and Ashleigh Gardner (1-39) also contributed significantly, tightening the pressure on India’s batting. For India, Jemimah Rodrigues scored a steady 52, the only significant innings, while debutant Kashvee Gautam added a valuable 34 not out off 54 balls.

India struggled to adapt to the demands of Test cricket, especially as this was their first match in the longer format since June 2024. Australia's response was challenged under lights as Sayali Satghare and Kranti Gaud reduced them to 58/3.

However, Ellyse Perry and Annabel Sutherland formed an unbroken partnership of 38, looking increasingly composed against the Indian bowlers. Ellyse remained unbeaten on 43 off 62 balls, featuring seven boundaries.

Annabel reinforced her strong performance with the bat, making 20 not out off 29 balls, including three boundaries. India will need to elevate their performance on Saturday to stop Australia from taking a substantial first-innings lead.

The final session began with Australia not allowing a boundary in the first four overs. Annabel then induced Sayali to edge a pull to Beth Mooney, while Darcie ended India's innings just two runs short of 200 when Kranti's half-hearted pull was caught at first slip.

Australia’s chase began with a setback as they lost Georgia early. Sayali bowled a sharp inswinger that dismantled her defense, leaving her with just 2 runs. Ellyse joined Phoebe Litchfield and looked fluid, driving Sayali through cover for four, but India struck again when Phoebe was dismissed for nine, thanks to a brilliant catch by Jemimah Rodrigues at backward point off Kranti.

Skipper Alyssa Healy received a standing ovation from the Perth crowd but couldn't capitalize as she edged a delivery from Sayali to Jemimah at backward point for 13. At 58/3, the Indian seamers gained momentum with Sayali and Kranti making the ball move.

Ellyse, however, grew in confidence, executing drives and cuts with authority, while Annabel displayed her class early on with standout shots through extra cover and a pull behind square.

India maintained an all-pace strategy until the final over when Sneh Rana was introduced, but Annabel and Ellyse handled her comfortably. Previously, India’s innings began shakily, with Smriti Mandhana surviving a probing first over from Darcie Brown. She appeared under pressure before falling in the sixth over to Lucy, who took her maiden Test wicket with a sharp nip-backer that bowled the India vice-captain.

Shafali Verma looked aggressive, hitting six boundaries for 35 off 48 balls, before edging Annabel to Beth Mooney while playing a drive without footwork. Debutant Pratika Rawal appeared scratchy in her 18 off 43 balls and was dismissed after drinks when she slashed at a wide delivery from Sutherland, caught at gully.

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur attempted a counterattack with four boundaries but was bowled for 19 by a late-moving delivery from Darcie.

Jemimah's innings started with a thick edge off Lucy for four, then she showcased a full face of the bat to hit another boundary, ending a session where India lacked the patience required for Test cricket.

The second session began with India losing Deepti Sharma early to Annabel Sutherland, followed by Jemimah and Richa Ghosh forming a promising 23-run partnership off 62 balls.

However, their resistance was short-lived as Richa fell to Ashleigh, and Jemimah, who appeared comfortable with her 52 – her fourth fifty in Tests and second against Australia, edged a ball from Lucy to square leg, giving the teenager her second wicket.

Lucy struck again, dismissing Sneh Rana cheaply and completing a three-wicket haul on debut. India’s lower order faced nervous moments, with Kashvee dropped by Beth Mooney on 16, but she and Sayali remained unbeaten until the dinner break.

Ultimately, though India managed to take three Australian wickets, the hosts ensured they did enough to maintain their advantage in the final match of the multi-format series.

Brief scores:

India 198 all out in 62.4 overs (Jemimah Rodrigues 52, Shafali Verma 35; Annabel Sutherland 4-46, Lucy Hamilton 3-31) lead Australia 96/3 in 27 overs (Ellyse Perry 43 not out, Annabel Sutherland 20 not out; Sayali Satghare 2-24, Kranti Gaud 1-28) by 102 runs