After a hard-fought contest over four days between England and India, Sneh Rana ensured the visitors hung by the skin of their teeth to register an improbable draw at the County Ground in Bristol. Both sides showcased skill and grit to produce one of the best Test matches in the history of women's cricket.
Watch the Full Day 4 Highlights:
[Video hosted on England and Wales Cricket Board]
A true battle.
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 19, 2021
Ups and downs, we left everything out there but it ends in a draw.#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/XFtPiLKYY1
India resumed their innings on the overnight score of 83 for the loss of one wicket, with debutants Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma striding to the middle after being asked to follow on in the second innings.
A massive day ahead!
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 19, 2021
Let's go 💪
Scorecard & Videos: https://t.co/AJk5wA8p4T#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/6XTNAX09OO
However, they was jolted early in the day with the massive wicket off Shafali Verma. The teenage batting prodigy was caught brilliantly by Katherine Brunt at long-on for 63 runs off Sophie Ecclestone.
WHAT A CATCH FROM BRUNTY!#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/aIgYWrGUD4
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 19, 2021
Punam Raut walked in at number four and steadied the innings along with Deepti. The duo added 72 runs for the third wicket, with the southpaw registering her maiden test match half-century.
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Despite all the hard work, the visiting side lost a crucial wicket of Deepti at the stroke of lunch, giving the England team much-needed impetus in the first session.
A great end to the session.
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 19, 2021
Scorecard & Videos: https://t.co/AJk5wA8p4T#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/xCVopqIUnq
With two of the most experienced players in the batting unit, Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur, yet to come, they looked like they would be able to stretch the lead and save the game.
However, the left-arm spin of Ecclestone wreaked havoc as she scalped the duo cheaply to help the home team inch closer to wrapping up the innings.
These three since Lunch 😍
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 19, 2021
Scorecard & Videos: https://t.co/AJk5wAq0tt#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/buYuPPGJPy
Strong resistance from the lower order with a stubborn 100 ball stay by Shikha Pandey and Sneh Rana delayed proceedings.The off spinner, appearing in her maiden Test match notched up an impressive half century and stitched a crucial 104 run stand with wicket keeper, Taniya Bhatia.
Sneh Rana becomes the first Indian to claim a four-wicket haul and also make a 30-plus score on debut in a Women's Test match.#EngWvIndW#EngWvsIndW
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) June 19, 2021
The duo looked in absolute control and stretched the lead past 100 post the tea session. With wickets hard to come and a tiring bowling unit, the Indian debutants displayed an array of strokes to guide the Indian team to safety.
With Rana top scoring for the team with an unbeaten 80, the visiting side amassed 344/8 enabling the side to pull off a hard fought draw.