IND-W vs AUS-W, Only Test, Day 3 Review: Australian batters retaliate but India remain in box seat

Day 3 of the ongoing one-off Test between India and Australia women, at the Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai, saw the visitors putting on a much-improved batting performance before Harmanpreet Kaur wrestled the initiative back for her side.

India started Day 3 with a strong 157-run lead and three wickets still in the bank. Deepti Sharma and Pooja Vastrakar added 20 runs before the latter was dismissed for a crucial knock of 47. Deepti also returned to the pavilion a few overs later for a well-compiled 78 off 171 balls. Renuka Singh was the last batter dismissed as India were bowled out for 406, bagging a lead of 187.

The Aussie batters had their task cut out against an upbeat Indian bowling attack. However, the duo of Beth Mooney and Phoebe Litchfield got their team off to a solid start. They added 49 runs before Mooney was run out by Richa Ghosh in a bizarre way. The experienced Australian batter defended a delivery from Sneh Rana and casually stepped out of the crease. Richa was aware of the situation as she hit the stumps directly to give India a wicket against the run of play. Litchfield departed a couple of overs later as she failed to execute a premeditated reverse sweep.

Tahlia McGrath and Elysse Perry joined forces and stitched an 84-run partnership for the third wicket. The latter was unfortunately strangled down the leg-side as Yastika Bhatia took a sharp catch off the bowling of Rana. Australian skipper Alyssa Healy joined McGrath in the middle. They showed a lot of grit and determination and forged a 66-run stand off 175 balls.

The Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur brought herself into the attack and struck off her fourth ball. She dismissed McGrath for 73, as the sedate partnership was finally broken. However, the 34-year-old wasn't finished as she got rid of her opposite number in her fifth over. The tourists ended the day at 233/5, with Annabel Sutherland and Ashleigh Gardner at the crease. They are effectively at 46/5, with two more days left in the Test match. India have their noses in front but Australia bat deep and can make things difficult for the 'Women in Blue' if they can keep stitching partnerships on Day 4.

Here's a look at how 'X' users reacted to the action on Day 3: