Perth: Annabel Sutherland’s four-wicket haul helped Australia take early control in the one-off Test against India at the Western Australia Cricket Association (WACA) Stadium on Friday.
Departing Australian skipper Alyssa Healy’s decision to field first saw India bowl out a modest 198 in 62.4 overs, despite a brave half-century from Jemima Rodriguez.
The right-handed batsman top scored for the visitors with 52 runs off 84 balls with 7 fours in the first innings.
Apart from Rodriguez, right-arm opener Shafali Verma and lower-order batsman Kashvi Gautam contributed significantly to India’s total with 35 and 34 runs respectively.
Australian bowler Sutherland claimed four wickets for just 46 runs in his 17 overs, while Lucy Hamilton claimed three wickets for 31 runs in 11 overs.
Right-arm pacer Darcy Brown suffered two scalps, while veteran off-spinner Ashley Gardner took a scalp.
In reply, the home side could muster 96/3 in 27 overs before stumps were drawn at the WACA.
Australia got off to a poor start to their innings as they lost both openers Georgia Wall (two) and Phoebe Litchfield (nine) for 31 in 12 overs.
The home side suffered another setback to their batting journey as skipper Healy was reduced to 58/3 when he was dismissed by debutant Sayali Sadkare in the 20th over.
Following the initial shocks, all-rounder Sutherland joined Berry in the middle and the duo batted smartly against the Indian bowling attack to ensure the home side did not suffer any further setbacks and put on 38 not out for the fourth wicket.
By the end of the opening day, Perry was unbeaten on 43 off 62 balls with 7 boundaries, while Sutherland was unbeaten on 20.
Trailing by 102 runs with 7 wickets in hand, the duo will begin Australia’s reply the next day.
On behalf of India, Sadkare took 2 wickets in the first innings and Kranti Gaut took one wicket.