India Sets Record Total in Women's Test Cricket
India posts historic 603/6 declared against South Africa, led by Kaur and Ghosh's stellar performances.
Sumit Rawat
India posted the highest total in women's Test cricket history, scoring an impressive 603 for six declared. South Africa Women fought valiantly through Sune Luus and Marizanne Kapp on the second day of the one-off Test on Saturday. Resuming at 525 for four, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Richa Ghosh began the day's play. In her fifth Test, Kaur scored her maiden half-century in the format, with 69 off 115 balls, while Richa achieved a career-best knock of 86. Together, they added 143 runs for the fifth wicket.
At 576, India broke the previous highest team total record in Women's Test cricket, surpassing Australia's 575 for nine declared against South Africa in Perth this February.
The partnership ended at 593 when Harmanpreet was trapped leg-before by Tumi Sekhukhune. Shortly after, Richa was also trapped leg-before by Nonkululeko Mlaba, prompting the Indian captain to declare the innings.
South Africa responded strongly, with top-order batter Sune Luus scoring 65 and Marizanne Kapp remaining unbeaten at 69, finishing the day at 236 for four and trailing by 367 runs. Delmi Tucker was South Africa's most successful bowler with figures of two for 141, while Masabata Klaas was the most economical.
South Africa started confidently, reaching 29 for no loss at lunch. However, after the break, Sneh Rana trapped the visiting captain leg-before for 20 with a delivery that kept low, ending a 33-run partnership. Luus joined Bosch, and they added 63 for the second wicket before Rana dismissed Bosch for 39.
Kapp joined Luus with South Africa at 106 for two at tea. In the final session, both batters reached their half-centuries, adding 93 runs for the third wicket before Deepti Sharma trapped Luus leg-before at 189 for three, marking South Africa's best third-wicket partnership in the format.
Nine runs later, Delmi Tucker was caught behind off Rana for a duck. Kapp and Nadine de Klerk then played out the day, adding an unbeaten 38-run stand for the fifth wicket.
India's bowlers performed well despite the lack of turn, with the ball occasionally keeping low and troubling the visitors. The fielding was decent, though a couple of close chances were missed. Rana starred with the ball, taking three for 61, while Deepti Sharma was also impressive with figures of one for 40.
