Seamers put Australia on top on 13-wicket opening day

Australia's decision to bowl first in the one-off pink-ball Test at the WACA Ground paid immediate dividends as they dismissed India for 198 on the opening day of the one-off game. In what was a landmark match for Alyssa Healy, playing her final international game, the Australian seamers utilised the pace and bounce of the Perth strip to keep the visitors under constant pressure. Annabel Sutherland was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of 4-46, while 19-year-old debutant Lucy Hamilton made an instant impact on the international stage, claiming 3-31 with her disciplined left-arm pace.

India's innings struggled for momentum from the outset after Smriti Mandhana was bowled by Hamilton for just four runs. Shafali Verma provided a brief spark with a 48-ball 35, including six boundaries, before nicking behind off Sutherland. While debutant Pratika Rawal (18) and captain Harmanpreet Kaur (19) got starts, they both fell to the relentless Australian attack without converting.

Jemimah Rodrigues played a lone hand in the middle order, scoring a composed 52 to steady the ship, notably through a 43-run stand with Richa Ghosh (11). However, Rodrigues' dismissal headlined a collapse where India lost three wickets for just seven runs. A spirited unbeaten 34 from debutant Kashvee Gautam ensured India pushed close to the 200-run mark before the final wicket fell.

In response, Australia's top-order faced a challenging period under the lights from India's young pace trio. Sayali Satghare, also on debut, produced a dream start for India by bowling Georgia Voll for just two in her second over in Test cricket.

The Indian seamers found significant movement with the pink ball, making life difficult for the hosts' experienced batters. Kranti Gaud was the most economical of them all, finishing with figures of 11-2-28-1. Phoebe Litchfield struggled against the swinging delivery and was eventually caught off the bowling of Gaud for 9 off 39.

Ellyse Perry and Healy attempted to navigate a tense final hour but Satghare returned to claim the Australian captain cheaply in the first innings of her final game for Australia. Perry, who finished unbeaten on 43, then found company in Sutherland (20*) to take the hosts to the close of play without any more hiccups. Australia ended Day 1 at 96/3, trailing by 102 runs.

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