Australia Women vs India Women Pink Ball Test Day 3: Live Updates from Gold Coast

AUS W vs IND W: Welcome to our live coverage of historic Pink Ball Test Day 3 between Australia Women and India Women from Metricon Stadium in Gold Coast. 

Veteran seamer Jhulan Goswami struck twice to reduce Australia to 69 for two at tea after India declared their first innings at 377 for eight on the third day of the rain-marred women's day/night Test here on Saturday. India got the timing of declaration right considering that batting is most difficult in the second session of a day/night Test with pink ball owing to factors related to light. Australia recovered nicely after losing Beth Mooney early as the duo of Alyssa Healy (29) and skipper Meg Lanning (32 batting) not only steadied the ship but also played some exquisite shots.

 

05:51 IST: STUMPS! Jhulan Goswami and Pooja Vastrakar picked two each to put Australia on backfoot, but all-rounder Ellyse Perry holds key with her 98-ball 27. Australia are still 234 runs behind with six wickets in hand. The weather forecast for the final day is great. Australia need something impressive with the bat to surive tomorrow. 

04.50 PM: WICKET! Tahlia McGrath is dismissed after a gritty stand as Pooja Vastrakar gets another. It was a rare loose ball from Vastrakar which ironically gets her the wicket. McGrath took this delivery as an opportunity to open her hands, but Smriti Mandhana was placed at deep point and grabs an easy catch. Australia 128/4

03.40 PM: WICKET! Pooja Vastrakar removes the Australian captain! The pacer trapped Meg Lanning plumb, although the replays showed that there might be an inside-edge. Nevertheless, this has been a good start for India with the ball. Australia 82/3

03.20 PM: Ellyse Perry joins Meg Lanning in the middle after tea. The Indian bowlers have been excellent on their lines and lengths so far, with Jhulan Goswami taking both the wickets. Australia 80/2

02.40 PM: WICKET! Jhulan strikes again! The Indian pacer sets it up brilliantly to dismiss Healy. She bowls a series of short off before bowling a length delivery, induces edge off Healy's bat and Taniya Bhatia takes an easy catch. Australia 69/2 at tea

02.25 PM: Captain Meg Lanning and Alyssa Healy are forging a strong partnership after early dismissal of Mooney. Australia 59/1, trail by 318 runs

01.32 PM: WICKET! Jhulan Goswami strikes! Early breakthrough for India as the veteran Indian pacer breaks through Beth Mooney's defence. Australia 14/1

01.10 PM: The players return for Australia's first innings. Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney open for the hosts.

12.53 PM: India declare on 377/8. One could sense an impending declaration after Deepti Sharma's significantly aggressive stroke-playing since the start of second session.

12.40 PM: WICKET! Deepti Sharma departs soon after the resumption of play in the second session. The batter upped the ante with aggressive shots in the second session, slamming successive boundaries against Stella Campbell. However, this ball kept very low and Deepti, who had already committed to the pull, couldn't adjust in time as she was trapped LBW. Deepti departs for a brilliant 66. India 370/8

12.00 PM: DINNER! Deepti Sharma remains unbeaten on 59, having displayed excellent grit and patience throughout her innings so far. Pooja Vastrakar was dismissed on 13 and the umpires called for dinner after her departure. India 359/7

11.00 AM: WICKET! Taniya Bhatia departs on 22. The Indian wicketkeeper looked composed throughout her innings but Stella Campbell finally gives the hosts their first wicket of the day. No foot movement from Bhatia as she chases a delivery outside off. She finds a thick outside edge and Alyssa Healy grabs a regulation catch. Pooja Vastrakar is the new batter in. India 319/6

10.45 AM: 300! India have reached the 300-run mark after Deepti Sharma and Taniya Bhatia gave India a steady start on the resumption of play on Day 3.