The star Indian all-rounder Sneh Rana picked eight wickets in an innings against South Africa to script a world record in women's Tests on Sunday, June 30. Rana produced the joint-most wickets in an innings in women's Test cricket history to bowl out South Africa to 266 in their first innings on Day 3 of a one-off Test in Chennai.
Playing in her only fourth Test, the 30-year-old spin all-rounder scalped eight wickets 77 as the Proteas stumbled from a strong position of 189/2 to 266 at MA Chidambaram Stadium. Rana joined Australia's Ashleigh Gardner and the former Indian veteran Neetu David to become the only third cricketer in the world to pick eight wickets in an innings in women's Test cricket.
"In the start, it was challenging (to bowl on this pitch) because the ball was not turning much." Sneh Rana said after Day 3's play. "I enjoyed it later when it started to turn and bounce. The mindset was clear and we were going for wickets. We want to go for the kill - that is the mindset we have currently. They (the South African batters) are some of the best batters in the world and they are here to play as well. They played well and credit goes to them as well. Everyone put in a lot of effort. We complemented each other (as a bowling unit) on this pitch and the fielders supported each other too."
Maizanne Kapp top-scored with 74 runs off 141 balls and Sune Luus added 65 runs for South Africa in the first innings. Apart from Rana, the star all-rounder Deepti Sharma picked the remaining two wickets for India women.
India enforced a follow-on to South Africa after leading by 337 runs in the first innings. South Africa struggled for a start in their second innings with Deepti removing opener Anneke Bosch early with just 16 runs on the scoreboard.
But South Africa made a stunning comeback with skipper Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus adding 196 runs for the second wicket. Luus smashed her maiden Test hundred by scoring 109 runs off 203 balls before being dismissed by Harmanpreet Kaur just before the day's play. Wolvaardt remained unbeaten on 93 off 252 balls as South Africa posted 232/2 at the end of Day 3's play in Chennai.
