Key events
Bit of an extended break here as Bhatia’s been getting some treatment. She’s sprawn across the Lord’s outfield getting a massage which, in my opinion, is potentially even better than getting on the honour’s board.
55th over: India 212-3 (Harman 16, Bhatia 64)
No slip and the ball flies through the vacant first slip region. Big drive from Harman and it beats a diving Amy Jones. Would’ve been in the bread basket had a slip been in place.
That’s the first hour of the day done and the players trot off for a drink. The lead is 327.
54th over: India 207-3 (Harman 11, Bhatia 64)
More runs. Harman cuts Ecclestone for four to go along with a couple of singles. Even with the two wickets. It’s all just seeming very easy at the moment.
53rd over: India 199-3 (Harman 6, Bhatia 61)
Lauren Filer has her first bowl of the day. She’s only bowled four overs all innings which is slightly peculiar. By contrast Lauren Bell has bowled 16.
The over only goes for one run, but Filer is loose with her liens as well. Amy Jones is on two occasions forced to scramble down the legside.
52nd over: India 198-3 (Harman 6, Bhatia 60)
There’s no justice in this world. Amy Jones has kept very well this match, but those byes from Lauren Bell means she has equalled her own record of most byes conceded in a Test innings of 23. The last 13 of which came from Bell’s bowling in the last 20 minutes or so and for which she had absolutely no chance.
51st over: India 196-3 (Harman 5, Bhatia 59)
All of a sudden Lauren Bell has lost her way. She threw four byes down the legside an over ago, and now she sneaks one down the legside to the right-hander that Amy Jones can get half a glove on to keep it to one. And then to the left-hander she bowls two balls down the legside which both disappear for four byes. No chance for Jones on either occasion. I suspect that’ll be the end of Bell’s spell.
50th over: India 187-3 (Harman 5, Bhatia 59)
I think that’s a dropped catch by Tammy Beaumont at short-leg. A beauty from Sophie Ecclestone dips and takes the inside edge of Harman and deflects to Beaumont who just can’t manage to scoop it up.
The telly is telling me it didn’t quite carry but I’m really not too sure. Oh, here we go, a super slow motion and yep it doesn’t quite reach Beaumont on the full but…I dunno. If her hands moved further forward then it would’ve carried if you get what I mean. Maybe I’m being unreasonable, who knows.
49th over: India 181-3 (Harman 0, Bhatia 58)
India’s skipper comes to the crease at No.5 so it doesn’t get any easier for England.
One ball is pushed down the legside for four byes, but an otherwise successful over for the home team.
WICKET! Rodrigues 3 b Bell (177-3)
Bell has been on the money this morning and is too good for Jemimah Rodrigues on this occasion. Bell, angling the ball back into the right-hander, sneaks it through bat and pad, hits the stumps, and this time the bails definitely do come off. India three down.
48th over: India 177-2 (Rodrigues 3, Bhatia 58)
The runs continue to trickle along. Just a tiny bit of width offered up by Ecclestone and Bhatia is on it in a flash, cutting away for four.
The lead is 292 now. How many do you think England could chase in the fourth innings? Let us know here.
47th over: India 171-2 (Rodrigues 3, Bhatia 52)
Lauren Bell’s over started well, but drifted off. After the boundary that took Bhatia to her 50 a full toss slips in and another run is ticked off.
50 for Yastika Bhatia!
A second Test half-century for India’s wicketkeeper. Lauren Bell has been on the money this morning but she overpitches here and Bhatia drives strongly down the ground for four to bring up the milestone.
46th over: India 165-2 (Rodrigues 2, Bhatia 47)
Rodrigues is off the mark with a single. Slip and a short-leg in place for the new batter, but for Bhatia it’s still a bit more defensive.
Four singles off Ecclestone’s over.
45th over: India 161-2 (Rodrigues 0, Bhatia 45)
An excellent start for England who so desperately need wickets and fast. Rodrigues faces her first two balls and Bell gets one to nip past her outside edge and then the next ball nips back in and strikes the pad. Excellent stuff from England’s fast-bowler.
WICKET! Mandhana 70 c Jones b Bell (India 161-2)
Brilliant from Amy Jones. Bell pushes a ball down the legside and Mandhana gets a bit of bat on it that then deflects off her thigh pad as well. Jones flings herself to her right and takes a really sharp one-handed catch millimetres off the turf.
Mandhana’s reviewed it, and they’re checking it’s a clean catch but I’m giving this it’s good, fine and out.
44th over: India 161-1 (Mandhana 70, Bhatia 45)
Well, it’s Sophie Ecclestone to bowl the second over of the day. And it’s a pretty defensive field first up which is surprising. A few fielders out on the fence which feels a bit welcoming to all involved.
A beauty to finish off with though beats Bhatia’s outside edge. They have a polite check for a stumping but Bhatia’s foot is down and safe.
43rd over: India 159-1 (Mandhana 69, Bhatia 44)
Oh, drama first up! Lauren Bell, with the very first ball of the day, clean bowls Yastika Bhatia. Except she doesn’t as the bails don’t fall off! An absolute beauty from Bell beats Bhatia and clips/thumps off-stump on the way through but nothing doing.
And then to add insult to injury from the very next ball Bhatia thumps Bell down the ground for four. One more single arrives and it’s five off the first over of the day.
Right, we’re almost ready to roll. A montage of some of Tammy Beaumont and Heather Knight’s best bits plays on the big screen. Or it might just be a montage of England’s best bits over the last decade. They’ve both, pretty much, been ever presents throughout.
The players are on their way out. Away we go…
How good has Smriti Mandhana been this Test?
She will resume on 69 not out this morning to back up her 83 in the first-innings. On the broadcast, Mel Jones is saying England need clearer plans to the Indian left-hander this morning. Backs in Lauren Bell to start well for England today who had a tough day one.
Best Heather Knight moments?
The 2017 World Cup win as captain is the most obvious. As is just…her longevity in the role. Nine years she led England which is just remarkable.
And, of course, she became the first English player – man or woman – to score a century in all three formats. Truly an icon of the game.
Reminder to get in touch with any of your thoughts, facts or feelings about the game.
Particularly keen to hear some Heather Knight memories. In all, Knight will finish with 320 appearances for England. The most of anyone in history.
Along with Tammy Beaumont’s retirement, the furniture of English cricket is being moved around. There’s too much change I don’t like it.
Yesterday was also a record breaking day, as 15,432 fans were in at Lord’s. The most ever for a single day of women’s Test cricket.
We’re surely heading towards the record for the most attended women’s Test ever? Although I’ll have to get to googling to confirm that.
If you want some extra reading to settle into your Sunday morning. Raf also put together this excellent feature ahead of the Test match.
I can’t stop thinking about the football. He’s only 23!
Was an absolute ghost town this morning travelling across London. Think there might be a few dusty heads kicking around and having a few more hours kip. Not here at the Guardian OBO though. Fit, firing and ready to go.
45 minutes away from the start of day three now at Lord’s. If England are going to pull off an unlikely victory they’ll need to hit the ground sprinting today. Lots of wickets to be taken.
Want to catch up on what happened yesterday? Well, look no further than Raf’s report.
Kranti Gaud was the star of the show for India. She made history as her five-wicket haul meant she became the first woman to get her name up on the Lord’s honours board.
Preamble
It’s Bellingham! Just 23-years-old. Goodness, gracious me.
How has everyone spent their Sunday mornings? I’ve been watching Jude Bellingham montages and I will not be stopped from doing so.
That being said, I’m also angling for some more Test cricket. And on this weekend of sport we approach the start of day three at Lord’s where England are very much behind the eight-ball. India lead by 269 runs in their second innings and they’re only one wicket down. Charlotte Edwards’ team needs a miracle and fast.
Also, if you missed it, some massive news last night as Heather Knight announced she would be retiring from international cricket after this match. What is it with this summer and big players stepping away?? Williamson, Stokes, Knight. Somebody make them stop.
Anyway, if you do want to get in touch and recall some of your favourite Knight moments. Get in touch here.
