Exciting Test Match Begins
“It’s been an incredible journey, and I want to finish on a high with this amazing group,” said Alyssa Healy ahead of her final international match. The one-off Test between the India Women’s National Cricket Team and the Australia Women’s National Cricket Team commenced today at the WACA Ground in Perth.
Australia won the toss and elected to field first against India. The match, scheduled from March 6 to March 9, 2026, marks a significant moment as Healy, aged 35, steps onto the field for the last time, following an impressive ODI career where she scored 158 runs in her last match.
Currently, Australia leads the multi-format series 8-4 after a dominant 3-0 victory in the ODI series. India, however, has the opportunity to level the series at 8-8 with a win in this Test, showcasing their growing prowess in the format.
India’s captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, expressed her team’s intent, stating, “We want to play positive cricket and give ourselves the best chance.” The match is a pink-ball, day-night Test, which adds an extra layer of excitement and challenge for both teams.
The WACA Ground is renowned for its pace and bounce, which could favor the bowlers. India’s playing XI includes key players such as Harmanpreet Kaur and Richa Ghosh, while Australia’s lineup features Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney.
As the match unfolds, it is expected that both teams will strive for a strong performance. “India can’t win the series outright, but an 8-8 draw would send a strong message about the team’s evolution and resilience,” noted a cricket analyst.
With almost 300 runs scored and 13 wickets falling on the first day, the match has already proven to be thrilling. The live telecast is available on the Star Sports Network, and fans can stream the match live on the JioHotstar app and website.
As the Test progresses, cricket enthusiasts will be keenly watching how both teams adapt to the conditions and the significance of this match in the context of women’s cricket.
