England women skipper Heather Knight said that the one-off Test between India and England in Bristol was a 'brilliant advertisement' for Test cricket.
Indian women’s team scripted a famous draw against England women’s team in Bristol. After being forced to follow on, the Mithali Raj-led side crumbled in the second innings again with the scoreboard reading 199/7.
As the hosts tasted victory with just 3 wickets to go, debutant Sneh Rana and Taniya Bhatia featured in an incredible 104* runs partnership for the ninth wicket and secured a famous draw in Bristol.
Sneh Rana batted for 195 minutes and scored an unbeaten 80 in 154 balls while Taniya Bhatia occupied the crease for 115 minutes and remained unbeaten on 44 from 88 balls. India made 344 for 8 in 121 overs in their second innings as the Test ended in a draw.
England women skipper Heather Knight said that it was a brilliant game of cricket but admitted that it could have been even more exciting had the day not 'fizzled out' of England's hands. She added that the youngsters' performances in the game were a great advert for women's Test cricket.
“What a brilliant game of cricket. It was unfortunate it didn't have the dramatic and exciting finish that it could have done but what a game of cricket. I think it's almost a shame that today it fizzled out a little bit. It was set up to be very good and very exciting, but I think it's been a brilliant advert.
“We've had some great skill on show, some youngsters come in from both sides and play outstandingly. It's been a great advert and shows that women's Test cricket has a place in the game,” Heather Knight said.
Knight lauded her bowler Sophie Ecclestone who took eight wickets and bowled 64 overs in the match. She added that Indian women showed great grit and held on. She added that less time in-game made them try hard and forced them to go for wickets but it proved too hard to take wickets.
“Credit to the bowlers. Soph bowling 60-odd overs and the seamers on what was a very dour surface, not much in it for them. They were able to run in and try and force things but unfortunately weren't able to. India held on.
“We knew we had to try and force those wickets a little bit and probably tried a little bit too hard, in the end, to try and force it because there wasn't a huge amount [of time] left in the game. It just proved a little bit too hard to take those wickets,” she said.
While talking about playing five-day women's Test matches Heather Knight said that she’s open to playing as there are a lot of draws in women‘s cricket.
“I would definitely be open to it. There's obviously been a lot of draws in women's cricket, in previous games, so, it's definitely something I think that should be looked at,” she concluded.
England women and Indian women will now face each other in the 3-match WODI series which will begin on June 27. The WT20I series between India and England will kick start in Northampton on July 9, followed by the second game in Hove on July 11.
(Cricbuzz inputs)
