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Ecclestone’s record day
Sophie Ecclestone became England’s leading wicket-taker across all three formats as the hosts dismissed India for 285 on the opening day of the first-ever women’s Test at Lord’s.
“On a day of firsts, 336 ended up being the magic number”
Ecclestone’s 3-68 on day one took her tally of international wickets to 338, surpassing Katherine Sciver-Brunt’s 335, after she took the wicket of Sayali Satghare in the 73rd over.
The day also featured debutant Mady Villiers, who impressed with 2-79 and took Harmanpreet Kaur’s wicket before tea, while England’s Lauren Filer struck early with the first women’s Test wicket at Lord’s in the second over.
England’s reply ended with Tammy Beaumont lbw for two and Maia Bouchier 17 not out as the hosts closed on 21-1 from 11 overs, cutting their deficit to 264.
In the wider context of the fixture, this was the 16th Women’s Test between England and India, with the previous 15 seeing 11 draws, three India victories and a sole England triumph in Jamshedpur in 1995.
Wong and the turning point
After England won the toss and elected to bowl in sweltering conditions, Lauren Filer claimed Shafali Verma’s four-ball duck and Lauren Bell bowled Yastika Bhatia for 12 to leave India at 37 for two.
Issy Wong then broke a determined partnership by having Mandhana caught behind in the 45th over, with India on 190 for four, before Villiers added a second wicket after the interval.
Ecclestone’s late surge completed the collapse by removing Satghare lbw, then accounting for Deepti Sharma (57) and Kranti Gaud (one) within six balls to end India’s innings at 285 all out.
Wong described the day as emotional and special, saying, "It was a really special day to be a part of, having all the ex-players out there and we were all a bit emotional during the anthems."
BBC also captured Ecclestone’s reaction to the milestone, with her telling BBC Test Match Special, "I would've never dreamt of anything like this. I've got no words, just buzzing it happened."
What’s at stake next
With England closing on 21-1 from 11 overs, the match remained in the balance after a day that began with Nat Sciver-Brunt opting to bowl in roasting conditions and ended with India all out for 285.
“Sophie Ecclestone became England’s leading wicket-taker across all three formats after her late surge helped her side take control against India on the opening day of the first women’s Test at Lord’s”
Ecclestone’s record-setting wicket haul—moving to 338 and placing her above the previous England benchmark of 335—was framed by BBC as part of a broader race, noting that alongside Deepti, "it feels like the pair are in a tight race to become the first woman to take 400 internationals across formats."
The BBC account also highlighted the ECB’s recognition of the amateur-era pioneers, with former players including Enid Bakewell and World Cup winner Alex Hartley in attendance as the bell was rung on the outfield before play.
Sky Sports reported that England had handed a Test debut to all-rounder Alice Capsey and to Mady Villiers, while also noting that Lauren Bell was one of six players in the XI to figure in Sunday’s T20 World Cup final defeat to Australia at Lord’s.
Looking ahead to day two, the immediate on-field stakes were set by the deficit England had cut to 264, with Bouchier 17 not out and Knight guiding England through the close after Beaumont was dismissed for two.
