Posted by England were on a roll during the last half hour of play on day 2 and have continued to dominate, India have done well in the 2nd innings to hang in and frustrate England.
Floodlights turned on and the conditions are overcast for the start of day 3 at Bristol. Showers forecasted during the day’s play. Deepti and Harman make their way. Sciver the English vice captain starts off with a maiden and it’s spin from the other end as Ecclestone has the ball and starts off with a beauty as Indian vice captain, Harmanpreet Kaur departs without disturbing the scorecard. Taniya Bhatia in next, and walks back with a duck to her name as Ecclestone traps her lbw. India in all sorts of trouble need a saviour. Sneh Rana joins her spin twin Deepti Sharma, this time with the bat. A short stay not a lot disturbed, 2 runs added to the tally as Sneha departs and it’s Ecclestone ones again who’s been helped by Amy Jones, the wicketkeeper with absolute brilliance to complete the wicket.
Pooja joins Deepti who’s having a good outing with the bat as well and the pair gets 200 on board for India. Pooja has 3 boundaries to her name and departs to a ripper from Brunt. Jhulan joins Deepti, she adds a run to the tally and departs to a nip-backer from Shrubsole who’s bowled excellent throughout the course of the game, is finally rewarded. Deepti Sharma turns out to be the saviour, remains not out on 29 and India all out with 231 on board and England with a lead of 165 invite India to bat. So, England impose a follow on that India first need to take out of the equation. Ecclestone the pick of bowlers has bagged 4. Couple to the skipper, Knight. A wicket each to the 4 seamers.
India in reply, have shown positive intent, both openers off the mark with a boundary. Shafali is playing her natural attacking game, Smriti departs after a short stay, and India one down on 29. Passing shower causes a short delay and Deepti Sharma comes in at 3 so, a gamble from India. Shafali trusting her shots has been attacking and is making batting look easy, chewing the gum and going run a ball. India get 50 on board, Deepti has been blocking and leaving all that’s coming her way. Two contrast not making clear what intent are India out with to play. English pacers remain disciplined and Ecclestone has had a short spell before a passing shower causes delay and play resumes. A few overs bowled where Deepti Sharma showed some real intent and Shefali Verma got to her twin fifty and soon the rain caused interruptions. This is frustrating England, India wouldn’t mind the delay.
The rain picked up pace and Bristol’s getting darker for play to resume so, the officials have called the day off. A half day at work for the cricketer’s and will step in tomorrow for one last time in whites as it being the final day of the one-off test.
Bureau of sports 