Sutherland and debutant Hamilton bowl India out for 198 on Day 1 of Perth pink-ball Test
Australia's fast bowlers made the pink ball talk on a lively WACA pitch, bowling India out for 198 before closing Day 1 at 96 for 3 in the one-off Test in Perth on March 6.
Sutherland leads the charge with four wickets
Annabel Sutherland returned figures of 4 for 46, controlling the innings from one end while debutant left-arm quick Lucy Hamilton impressed from the other with 3 for 31. Hamilton announced herself by bowling Smriti Mandhana with her 14th delivery in Test cricket, an inswinging seed that the India opener had no answer to.
Hamilton also accounted for India's top scorer Jemimah Rodrigues and Sneh Rana, finishing with a debut haul that will give the selectors something to think about going forward.
Rodrigues fights back with 52
Rodrigues was the only Indian batter who looked comfortable against the pace and movement on offer. She scored 52 off 84 balls, mixing patience with some well-timed drives through the covers. Shafali Verma made 35 at the top of the order, but the middle order crumbled around Rodrigues.
Lower down, debutant Kashvee Gautam showed composure at number nine, finishing unbeaten on 34 and adding useful runs after the top order had been picked apart. Her innings pushed India past the 190-mark when at one stage they looked in danger of being bowled out for much less.
Perry and Sutherland steady Australia's reply
India's new-ball bowlers had their moments in the evening session. Sayali Satghare picked up two wickets and Kranti Gaud claimed one as Australia slipped to 96 for 3. But Ellyse Perry, unbeaten on 43, and Sutherland, on 20 not out, batted through to stumps and will look to build a significant lead on Day 2.
Australia trail by 102 runs with seven wickets in hand. On this pitch, with the pink ball doing plenty under lights, India will need early wickets on Day 2 to stay in the contest.
