India need four wickets to seal a historic Lord’s Test win

India will start the final day of the Lord’s Test needing four wickets to complete a result that has never belonged to their women’s team before. England closed day three on 130 for 6, still 327 runs short of an improbable target of 457, and the only real question left is whether they can bat out a full day to deny India a first Test win at the ground.

The position was built the day before, when Yastika Bhatia turned a strong first-innings lead into a match India could not lose. Her 113 made her the first woman to score a Test century at Lord’s, and it gave the innings its spine. Smriti Mandhana added 70 at the top and Richa Ghosh finished unbeaten on 50 as India declared their second innings on 341 for 7, having already led by 115 on first innings after bowling England out for 170 in reply to their 285.

Ecclestone’s long shift

England did not get through India’s second innings cheaply. Sophie Ecclestone bowled 33.3 overs and finished with 5 for 118, the sort of workload that earns a place on the honours board even on a losing side. The gap between these teams over four days has been about pressure and catches, not effort with the ball.

Once India set the target, the seamers went to work. Kranti Gaud, who had already claimed a maiden five-wicket haul in the first innings, struck again, and Sayali Satghare and Sneh Rana chipped in with two apiece to leave England six down and staring at a heavy defeat. Amy Jones dug in for an unbeaten 52 and shared a stand with Mady Villiers that at least pushed the finish into a fourth day.

What the final day holds

For England, survival is the target rather than the runs. Batting out roughly 90 overs on a fourth-day pitch with four wickets in hand is the kind of rearguard that would rank among their better escapes, and Jones has looked the most likely to make it uncomfortable for India. She has a recognised partner or two left, but not many.

For India, this is about closing the door cleanly. Harmanpreet Kaur’s side has controlled almost every session here, and because this is the first women’s Test ever staged at Lord’s, a win would be a genuine first rather than just another result on a long tour. Four wickets stand between them and it.

Follow every session of India’s tour of England