Mandhana disappointed with her dismissal in her second innings.
Indian women’s cricket team opener Smriti Mandhana believes that the lack of experience in negotiating the closing stages of a session was a major reason behind India’s batting collapse on the second day of the one-off Test against England Women at Bristol County Ground, in Bristol.
Madhana and the young Shafali Verma added a solid 167-run 1st wicket stand to help India Woman post 231 runs in their first innings in response to the massive England first innings total of 396/9 declared. India has so far managed 83/1 in their second innings against England Women in Bristol.
However, India lost five wickets in a hurry to lose track and were eventually forced to follow on before rain forced early stumps on day three in the ongoing one-off Test in Bristol.
Mandhana said: “Definitely, a slight pressure of ending the day ‘not out’, might have played a part (in the loss of wickets in a heap) and that will come with experience.”
She further added, “The more we play Test matches, the more we’ll get used to the conditions – one over before lunch or one over before the day’s end and all those sessions, so we can be more mature about (approaching them) and not take the pressure.”
On her dismissal at 8 off 13 balls in the second innings, Mandhana said: “We aren’t used to batting beyond 50 overs. But I wouldn’t say I got out because of lack of experience in Test matches because I threw my wicket away in the last session of (Thursday). I gave away my wicket though it was not such great a ball. I am disappointed.”
On the Bristol conditions, the opener said: “The conditions changed slightly, it was just windy. It wasn’t swinging that much. It was good to bat on though the conditions were cloudy and overcast.”
Hailing debutant Shafali, who missed out on a ton in the first innings by just 4 runs, Mandhana said: “We both are very similar (in our approach) to keep things simple, so we don’t really discuss much batting in the middle.”
She added, “The way she changed her game and the maturity she showed, it is very positive for Indian cricket going forward. Her shots, in T20Is I’ve always watched them from the other end. I hope she keeps going the way she is.”
Asked about the discussion in the team after being asked to follow on, she said “The transition was pretty quick. We just had 10-15 minutes before we went in to bat. We did not bat that great in the first innings and the talk was that we have to make up for it in the second innings.”
Mandhana signed off by saying, “All the debutants have really got a good start. In general, everyone was excited to play this Test match, and not just the debutants because we all are playing after a very long time, so it is a really special match. But all the debutants have really stepped up – Deepti, Shafali, Pooja, and even Taniya with the catch in the first innings- everyone has contributed.”
(With PTI Inputs)