England's Chase Unravels as India Eyes Historic Lord's Test Victory

England refuse to go out quietly - England Women's chase unravelled quickly as the top order crumbled, leaving the hosts reeling at 59/5. The day also marked the end of two illustrious international careers, with Tammy Beaumont and Heather Knight bidding farewell. Kranti Goud and Sayali Satghare starred with the new ball, claiming two wickets each, while Sneh Rana chipped in with one. Mady Villiers and Amy Jones then mounted a brave fightback with a resilient 67-run stand before Villiers fell to a stunning close-in catch by Richa Ghosh. Jones went on to notch up a gritty half-century, but England still face a monumental task with the lower order, while India will fancy their chances of wrapping up a famous victory on the final day. Day 4 begins on Monday, 13th July, at 10 am GMT (3.30 pm IST), and you can join us early for all the build-up. Until then, cheers!

Yastika made Lord's history - India turned the screws after Lunch as Yastika Bhatia brought up a magnificent maiden Test century, becoming the first woman to score a Test hundred at Lord's. After her landmark knock came to an end, Richa Ghosh provided the late acceleration with a brisk half-century, prompting Harmanpreet Kaur to declare at 341/7 and set England a daunting target of 457. Sophie Ecclestone also had her moment, picking up a fine five-wicket haul and showing why she is the most successful England bowler across all formats.

A small fightback - India resumed in complete control with Smriti Mandhana and Yastika Bhatia at the crease, but England responded with a much-improved bowling effort. Lauren Bell struck the early blow by ending Mandhana's fluent innings at 70, before India lost a couple more wickets to hand the hosts a way back into the contest. Harmanpreet Kaur and Yastika steadied the innings with a valuable stand, ensuring India continued to stretch their overall lead despite England's regular breakthroughs. The visitors went into Lunch firmly in control, but England would have taken heart from clawing back a few wickets during the session.

India hold all the cards - A long but thoroughly absorbing final session comes to a close! India Women remain firmly in the driver's seat in pursuit of a historic victory in the first-ever Women's Test at Lord's, but England Women have shown tremendous fight and resilience to keep themselves alive in the contest. The hosts still trail by a daunting 327 runs and will need something truly extraordinary to avoid defeat, but by taking the game into the final day, they have given themselves a fighting chance. As Test cricket has shown time and again, anything is possible on the final day.

0

Overs39.6

Score130 - 6

Deepti Sharma to Amy Jones, Safely negotiated! In front of the sticks, full in length. Amy Jones gets on the front foot and blocks it down the pitch. And that will be STUMPS on Day 3 at Lord's! England are 130/6 needing 327 more runs. India require 4 more wickets to win.

1

Overs37.5

Score127 - 6

Shafali Verma to Amy Jones, FIFTY FOR AMY JONES! A very resilient knock from her and she has shown a great deal of patience as well. Gets a warm round of applause from players and coaches on the balcony and she deserves it. That's her 2nd Test fifty and both have come in this very Test match. Charles Dagnall informs on air that Jones is the only second woman batter to score two half-centuries in the same Test match, batting at number six or below, with the first being Australia's Jess Jonassen. On a length around off. Jones punches off the back foot to the left of extra cover for a single.

W

Overs36.6

Score126 - 6

Sneh Rana to Mady Villiers, OUT! CAUGHT! Rana breaks the 67-run resilient stand for the sixth wicket. But that's an astonishing catch by Richa Ghosh after taking umpteen blows at silly mid off. Full and outside off at 72 kph. Villiers leans forward and drives it hard off the middle of the bat, but Richa Ghosh at silly point gets in the way. She stays low with her hands down and the ball just sticks in her hands, around her left knee. England Women are 126/6, needing 331 runs.

0

Overs36.3

Score126 - 5

Sneh Rana to Mady Villiers, Bump ball! Sneh dishes out a fullish ball, outside off. Villiers hangs back and goes for the cut shot but the ball spins in with a bit of bounce and goes off the inside edge and seems to have bumped on the ground before Yastika Bhatia collects it in her gloves. Bhatia and Deepti appeal for caught behind, but not given and the decision is sent upstairs for an umpire's review. The replay presents a clear picture with the ball bumping on the ground.

3lb

Overs35.1

Score123 - 5

Deepti Sharma to Amy Jones, Drifted onto the pads, full in length. Jones sits down on a knee and looks to sweep, but it goes off the pads and rolls behind to deep fine leg. They take three leg byes.

1

Overs33.4

Score117 - 5

Deepti Sharma to Amy Jones, Comes from around the stump, does Deepti. Dishes out a full ball, around off. Amy Jones creams it between extra cover and mid off for a single.

2

Overs32.6

Score115 - 5

Sree Charani to Amy Jones, Drops it full, outside off, turning away. Jones goes for the drive on the front foot, but gets it sliced off the outer half, to the left of backward point. Sneh Rana chases it to the deep and restricts the batters to two runs.