Australia gained the early advantage in the one-off Women’s Test at the WACA after a bowler-dominated opening day, despite a spirited fightback from India and an impressive debut from Sayali Satghare.
Thirteen wickets fell on a lively surface as India were bowled out for 198 before reducing Australia to 96 for 3 at stumps, leaving the hosts trailing by 102 runs.
Australia’s new-ball attack set the tone early after captain Alyssa Healy elected to bowl. Debutant left-arm seamer Lucy Hamilton made an immediate impact, removing Smriti Mandhana for 4 with a superb delivery that crashed into middle stump. The 19-year-old continued her dream debut by dismissing Jemimah Rodrigues and Sneh Rana to finish with impressive figures of 3 for 31.
Annabel Sutherland was equally influential, producing a superb spell of swing bowling to claim 4 for 46 from 17 overs. She struck key blows, including the wicket of Shafali Verma, who had looked set after scoring 35, and later wrapped up the innings by dismissing Sayali Satghare.
India struggled against the movement generated by Australia’s seamers but found resistance through Rodrigues, who top-scored with a composed 52. She counterattacked effectively against the spin of Alana King, striking four consecutive boundaries during a lively knock that briefly revived India’s innings.
After being dismissed inside 63 overs, India hit back strongly with the new ball under lights. Debutant Satghare produced the moment of the evening when a superb swinging delivery bowled Georgia Voll, while fellow newcomer Kranti Gaud claimed Phoebe Litchfield with the help of a sharp catch from Rodrigues.
India’s late surge also brought the prized wicket of Healy, who made 13 before hitting Satghare straight to backward point.
However, Sutherland and Ellyse Perry steadied Australia before stumps, ensuring the hosts ended a dramatic opening day with the upper hand.