Australia and India are facing off in a one-off Test match at the WACA. This pink ball Test marks the conclusion of the Australia-India series. It’s also a farewell match for Australia captain Alyssa Healy.
Healy, aged 35, is preparing for her final match. This will be Healy’s 299th match for Australia. It is only her eleventh Test. Healy has not yet made a Test hundred.
Team Lineups and Test Debuts
India’s team includes Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Kashvee Gautam, Sneh Rana, Sayali Satghare, and Kranti Gaud. Test debuts for India are Kranti Gaud, Kashvee Gautam, Pratika Rawal, and Sayali Satghare.
Australia’s team features Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Voll, Ellyse Perry, Alyssa Healy (capt), Annabel Sutherland, Beth Mooney (wk), Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Alana King, Lucy Hamilton, and Darcie Brown. Lucy Hamilton is making her Test debut for Australia as a left-arm quick. Ellyse Perry is playing as a batter.
Early Overs at the WACA
Darcie Brown opened the bowling for Australia. She faced Smriti Mandhana, known for her high strike rate. The first over was relatively quiet, with a wide and a couple of runs through the covers, resulting in India 3-0.
In the second over, Test debutant Hamilton bowled, and there was an lbw shout against Verma. Healy agreed to review it, but the review was unsuccessful. There was an inside edge onto the pad.
By the third over, India reached 8-0. Verma did not appear secure against Brown’s swinging ball.
Series Context and Captain’s Choice
Australia lead the multi-format series 8-4. India need the four points from a Test victory to level the series. India won the T20 matches 2-1, but Australia whitewashed the 50-over matches 3-0.
Healy said she was torn about her decision at the toss, but there was lots of grass on the surface. Harmanpreet Kaur would have fielded first as well.
Mitch Starc was spotted on the boundary edge, with both him and Healy having a best Test score of 99.
Australia romped home in their last Test against England in January 2025. It has been 20 months since India played in whites.