Australia vs India, Women’s Test, Day 3: Draw looming large in Queensland after rain, lightning

Lightning and heavy rain forced early stumps again on Day 2 of the Day-Night Women's Test match between Australia and India at Carrara Oval, Queensland. India were 276/5 when the match was halted in the second session. Deepti Sharma was on 12 and Taniya Bhatia was yet to get off the mark as they walked off, and never came back.

India lost two wickets in that session, of Mithali Raj (30) and Yastika Bhatia (19). But before that, Smriti Mandhana  (127) slammed a maiden Test century to take India to 231/3 at the dinner break. She became the first Indian woman to hit a Test century on Australian soil. She made 127 off 216 balls with 22 fours and a six, adding 102 for the second wicket with Punam Raut (36). Raut’s walking when the umpire was saying not out was among the highlights of the day.

However, the weather only allowed 101.5 overs of play across the first two days, and the Test match is headed for a draw unless something dramatic happens. The weather forecast for the next two days is not great either. The Australian bowlers staged an improved bowling performance on Day 2 after an ordinary Day 1, but getting a positive result for either side from this stage seems difficult.

Betway Fantasy Tips

- Keep faith in Sharma. Expect at least a fifty by her.

- For Australia, Sophie Molineux has picked up two wickets so far. Back her again.

- Pooja Vastrakar and Jhulan Goswami can be handy with bat. They will add some runs on the board if they manage to settle themselves in, and will bowl later in the day.