Cricket
Sophie Ecclestone writes her name into England record books against India
Sophie Ecclestone became England’s leading wicket-taker across all three formats after her late surge helped her side take control against India on the opening day of the first women’s Test at Lord’s.
The 27-year-old had to bide her time, but when she dismissed Sayali Satghare lbw in the final session, she surpassed Katherine Sciver-Brunt’s total of 335 to write her name into the history books.
She cleaned up the tail to extend her record to 338 dismissals during a strong bowling display in which debutant Mady Villiers also claimed two wickets as they bowled India out for 285.
After England had taken three wickets before lunch, India looked to recover with opener Smriti Mandhana making 83 and captain Harmanpreet Kaur also building a half-century before the home bowling unit regained their authority.
Tammy Beaumont, who will bring her long international career to a close at the end of the match, was out for just two when trapped lbw by Kranti Gaud. Opening partner Maia Bouchier (17 not out) and former captain Heather Knight took England on to 21 for one through 11 overs at stumps.
Having earlier won the toss England, soon back in action following their defeat to Australia in the T20 World Cup final at the home of cricket on Sunday, had opted to bowl, with Alice Capsey also making her Test debut.
England made a positive start in the sweltering conditions as Lauren Filer took the first women’s Test wicket at Lord’s in the second over when Shafali Verma edged behind to Amy Jones for a four-ball duck before Lauren Bell bowled Yastika Bhatia (12) to leave India at 37 for two.
India then regrouped as opener Mandhana dug in to push towards her run-a-ball half-century, which was brought up off the last delivery of the 16th over.
England took another wicket when Jemimah Rodrigues (35) played on off a thick edge from a wide ball by Issy Wong as India went on to reach 122 for three at lunch.
Kaur compiled her second 50 in Test cricket following the afternoon drinks break, coming from 99 balls, before Wong then had Mandhana caught behind to finally break the determined partnership in the 45th over, putting India at 190 for four.
Deepti Sharma survived a review for a thin edge off Villiers before the England off-spinner did then get her first Test wicket in the last over before tea when she dispatched Kaur with a turning delivery, as India went into the break at 202 for five.
After Richa Ghosh, who had not long cleared a stumping review, sent a shorter ball from Filer to Wong at fine leg, Villiers picked up her second wicket following the hydration break.
A low delivery struck Sneh Rana (13) on the pads and although given not out on field, England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt used her remaining review, which showed a direct hit as India were left 274 for seven.
Ecclestone then removed Satghare lbw on umpire’s call before Sharma (57) and Gaud (one) soon followed in the space of six balls as India were 285 all out.
