Young opener Shefali Verma’s record-breaking double century helped India to a series of records, including the highest score in one day, on the first day of the women’s cricket Test against South Africa on Friday. Shefali scored 205 off just 194 balls and shared a 292-run partnership with Smriti Mandhana (149) as India posted 525 for four on day one. Along with this, India also broke the 89-year-old record of scoring the most runs in a day. England’s women’s team scored 431 for two against New Zealand in Christchurch in 1935.
Shefali’s record breaking innings
Shefali broke the record held by Australia’s Annabel Sutherland, who scored a 248-ball double century against South Africa in February. The 20-year-old Shefali became the second Indian batsman after former captain Mithali Raj to score a double century in Test cricket. Mithali scored 214 off 407 balls in the second Test against England at Taunton in August 2002. Shefali was out immediately after scoring a double century. Earlier his highest score was 96 runs. Shefali, playing her fifth Test, hit 23 fours and eight sixes. Batting first, Shefali and Mandhana gave brilliant advice to the inexperienced South African bowlers. Both had taken the score to 130 runs without loss till lunch. Both their centuries ended almost at the same time. The partnership was broken when Mandhana was caught in the slips by Delmy Tucker. This is also Mandhana’s highest score in Test cricket. Earlier his highest score was 127 runs.
The largest partnership
Shefali and Mandhana shared a partnership of 292 runs for the first wicket. India’s first blow came in the form of Smriti Mandhana, who was dismissed for 149 runs. This is India’s highest partnership for any wicket in Test cricket. This is the second highest partnership for any wicket in women’s Tests. The world record is held by Australia’s LA Reeler and DA Annetts, who put on 309 runs for the third wicket against England at Wetherby in 1987.
Satish Shubha, who replaced Mandhana, was dismissed for 15 runs off 27 balls. However, Jemimah Rodrigues (55) supported Shefali very well. Shefali was run out due to lack of coordination while trying to steal runs quickly. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur scored 42 and Richa Ghosh scored 43 runs at the crease. India became the first team to score more than 500 runs in a day in a women’s Test match.