On the second day of the one-off Test match against South Africa on Saturday, India achieved a record team total in women’s cricket that exceeded Australia’s previous best of 575/9.
India surpassed Australia’s previous record of 575/9 to post the highest team total in women’s Test cricket on Saturday during the second day of the one-off Test match against South Africa. In Perth last February, Australia had reached the total, but India set a new record when Richa Ghosh hit a four off the first ball of Annerie Dercksen’s 109th over. Indian openers Shafali Verma (205) and Smriti Mandhana (149), who combined for an incredible 292 stand, the greatest opening partnership in women’s cricket, deserve a great deal of praise for the accomplishment.
Jemimah Rodrigues (55), Richa, and captain Harmanpreet Kaur—all of whom are undefeated into their respective half-centuries—have also contributed significantly.
India broke the previous record held by the men’s side of Sri Lanka (509 for 9) against Bangladesh in Colombo in 2002 by finishing on Day 1 with 525 for 4, the highest single-day total in a Test match.
This is the first time a team has reached 575 in an innings since women’s test cricket began in 1934.