England Bowler Lauren Bell Takes Two Wickets as India Women Lead

W

Overs48.3

Score177 - 3

Lauren Bell to Jemimah Rodrigues, OUT! THROUGH THE GATE! Bell gets her second wicket. She has been excellent so far with immaculate lines and lengths, and gets the reward for her consistency. She bowls it full and gets the ball to dart into the batter off the seam. Jemimah Rodrigues is sucked on the front foot to play the straight drive, but she plays the initial line. The ball sneaks through the gap between the bat and pad, and crashes into the stumps behind. A short stay for Jemimah Rodrigues and India Women are 177/3, leading by 292 runs.

W

Overs44.4

Score161 - 2

Lauren Bell to Smriti Mandhana, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! A wicket out of nowhere and England Women strike early on Day 3. Lauren Bell pitches the ball a bit full and on the pads, getting it to shape in. Smriti Mandhana looks to tickle it fine but gets an inside edge that goes off the pads and behind. Amy Jones dives full stretch to her right and sticks out the right glove to pouch it brilliantly. The umpires just go upstairs to confirm the legality of the catch and the third umpire confirms that it is clean. India Women are 161/2, leading by 276 runs.

Alright, all set for Day 3 to commence at the Home of Cricket. If England are to win this big match at Lord’s, they will have to complete the highest successful run chase in women’s Test history when they come for their second stint with the bat. But a massive job needs to be done with the ball before that. The umpires make their way out to the middle. Right after them, the players of England spring out and take their fielding spots. A loud cheer goes up for both Tammy Beaumont and Heather Knight. Smriti Mandhana (69) and Yastika Bhatia (39) are the overnight batters for India with their partnership worth 66 runs. Lauren Bell (11-5-16-0) will get us underway with the ball. Here we go...

Let's hear it from Heather Knight - On being asked about her retirement, Knight says she knew for definite about two or three months ago that this would be her last summer. She adds that she has thought about the decision for quite some time and has spoken to people close to her. She details that finishing with a home World Cup and a Test match at Lord’s feels really right, and says she is happy and content with the decision. She also says it is not easy to step away, but that she is really grateful for her career and feels it is the perfect time to go. On being asked about what comes next, Knight says she has always wanted to leave when she is still wanted and still feels she is contributing to the team and playing well. She adds that she is excited for what’s next in her life and career. She details that things are dragging her away from the game and that, after this summer, she probably feels she will not have the drive and energy to keep going as an international cricketer. In the end, Knight also confirms that she is still looking to play domestic cricket, though she is not yet sure when that will be or what it will look like.