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| Rains strike again on Day 2 after Mandhana scripts a record ton |
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Gold Coast (Australia), Opener Smriti Mandhana on Friday notched up a flamboyant maiden Test century as rains once again played a spoilsports by bringing an early close to the play, with India reaching 276/5 at stumps of the Day Two of the One-off Women's Pink Ball Day/Night Test being played at the Metricon Stadium here.
The left-handed batter not only became the first Indian woman to hammer a ton in Australia, but also became the highest overseas scorer, surpassing England's Molly Hide's 124.
Mandhana scored 127 off 216 balls with the help of 22 boundaries and a six.
She was also involved in a record 102 runs partnership for the second wicket with Punam Raut (36) on Australian soil and 93 with her opening partner Shafali Verma on a rain-marred opening day.
Mandhana reached her hundred off 170 balls with 18 fours and one six.
In the very second over of the day though, Mandhana survived a catch held by Beth Mooney at point off Ellyse Perry when she had not added any score to her overnight unbeaten 80.
The replays clearly showed Perry overstepping the bowling crease and the umpire calling a no ball.
From there, Mandhana frustrated the Hosts and built a century-run partnership with Punam. She ultimately was caught by Tahlia McGrath at short mid-off, off the bowling of Ashleigh Gardner.
After Mandhana's departure, Indian lost three more wickets in the form of Punam (36), Yastika Bhatia (19) and Mithali Raj (30).
Sophie Molineux claimed Australia's second wicket of the day when she had Punam caught by Alyssa Healy, which became the talking point of the day as she walked when she was given not out by Australian umpire Phillip Gillespie.
Perry had Yastika caught by Beth Mooney, who dived forward to take a low catch. Mithali was unfortunately run out after Sutherland fired a direct throw on the move to catch the Indian skipper short of the crease. The veteran batter before departing, scored four boundaries in her 86-ball knock.
At the end of the day, Deepti Sharma and Taniya Bhatia were unbeaten at 12 and zero runs respectively, who are relatively new to the crease.
As things stand, hopes of a result looks dim as only 101.5 overs have been bowled across two days of this historic D/N Test.
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