England vs India, Women's Test: Sophie Ecclestone becomes side's leading wicket-taker as tourists 285 all out at Lord's

10.07.2026, 20:41 skysports.com

Sophie Ecclestone became England Women's leading wicket-taker across all formats as the hosts dismissed India for 285 on a see-saw opening day of the historic first women's Test at Lord's.

Spin bowler Ecclestone (3-68) removed all-rounder Deepti Sharma (57) and tailenders Sayali Satghare (1) and Kranti Gaud (1) to increase her haul across 10 Tests, 84 ODIs and 113 T20Is to 338, above previous record holder Katherine Sciver-Brunt (335).

Only India's Deepti (357) and compatriot Jhulan Goswami (355) have more wickets in women's internationals than Ecclestone, with the England star also eclipsing Australia great Ellyse Perry (336) during her late-innings burst in London on Friday evening.

England: Tammy Beaumont, Maia Bouchier, Heather Knight, Nat Sciver-Brunt (captain), Alice Capsey, Amy Jones (wicketkeeper), Mady Villiers, Sophie Ecclestone, Issy Wong, Lauren Bell, Lauren Filer.

India: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia (wicketkeeper), Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Deepti Sharma, Sayali Satghare, Sneh Rana, Shree Charani, Kranti Gaud.

Ecclestone's three breakthroughs came amid India losing their final four wickets for 11 runs after a previous wobble of 3-39 from 190-3 once an 89-run stand between Smriti Mandhana (83) and captain Harmanpreet Kaur (58) had been broken as the set batters and the hard-hitting Richa Ghosh (13) fell.

England came out to bat around 45 minutes before stumps with Tammy Beaumont - playing her last match for her country after a 17-year international career - pinned lbw for two by Gaud, who would also have ousted Heather Knight (1no) on one in the same fashion had India reviewed, with her delivery poised to clatter the stumps.

The hosts closed on 21-1 - Maia Bouchier is 17 not out after a brace of boundaries - cutting their deficit to 264.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

The day was also notable for an excellent 19-over spell from England debutant Maddy Villiers, whose 2-79 included bowling Harmanpreet through the gate with a gem of a delivery on the cusp of tea.

Stream England vs India Test contract-free

Scorecard: England vs India, Lord's Test

As it happened on day one of Women's Test

Listen to the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast

More to follow.

Watch day two of the standalone Women's Test between England and India at Lord's live on Sky Sports Cricket from 10.30am on Saturday (11am first ball). Stream cricket contract-free with NOW.