Smriti Mandhana hit an unbeaten 56 to guide India to 122 for three against England at lunch on the first day of the one-off Women’s Test on Friday. England chose to bowl after winning the toss and quickly reduced India to 37 for two by removing Shafali Verma and Yastika Bhatia inside seven overs. Mandhana, who faced 67 balls, then joined Jemimah Rodrigues for a 64-run stand that steadied the innings. Mandhana struck two fours off Lauren Filer and later hit Sophie Ecclestone for six. Rodrigues added two boundaries against Ecclestone as the run rate stayed above six during their partnership. Rodrigues was dismissed attempting a wide ball from Issy Wong that clipped the stumps. Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur, unbeaten on 14, saw India through to lunch without further loss.
