Australia Women Opt to Bowl First Against India Women in Historic Test Match

In a historic one-off Test match at Perth's WACA Ground, Australia Women won the toss and opted to bowl first against India Women. This match is significant as it features four debutants for India and marks the final international appearance of Alyssa Healy. Both teams have had a competitive series, with Australia leading 4-2 in the multi-format series. Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur emphasized the importance of adapting to conditions, while Healy expressed gratitude for the support she received for her last match. The playing elevens showcase a mix of experienced players and newcomers, promising an exciting contest.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 6, 2026, 12:02 IST

Match Overview

In a significant one-off Test match at Perth's WACA Ground, Australia Women won the toss and decided to bowl first against India Women. This match is particularly noteworthy as it features four debutants for India and marks the final international appearance of veteran Australian cricketer Alyssa Healy.

Team Updates

India's lineup includes Pratika Rawal batting at No. 3, while their bowling attack showcases uncapped seamers Kashvee Gautam, Kranti Gaud, and Sayali Satghare. Currently, Australia leads the multi-format series with a score of 4-2. India previously secured a 2-1 victory in the three-match T20I series, but Australia bounced back to win the ODI series 3-0.

Captains' Insights at the Toss

During the toss, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur expressed that they considered bowling first but emphasized the importance of adapting to the conditions. She highlighted the inclusion of four debutants and confirmed the team composition of two spinners and three pacers. Kaur stated, "We wanted to bowl first also, but I think batting first or second, you have to come here and face these conditions. It's a great opportunity for us, and we hope to give our best. After the T20s, we faced challenges in the ODIs, but today is about playing our best cricket."

On the other hand, Australia captain Alyssa Healy mentioned that despite the favorable batting conditions, they opted to bowl first to assess the pitch. She expressed gratitude for the support she received for her final match, saying, "We're going to have a bowl. It looks nice to bat, but we want to see what's on offer first with the ball. We've got a young, exciting fast-bowling group ready to perform. I appreciate all the messages from friends and family for this special occasion."

Playing XI

The playing elevens for the one-off Test are as follows:

India Women: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh(w), Deepti Sharma, Kashvee Gautam, Sneh Rana, Sayali Satghare, Kranti Gaud.

Australia Women: Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Voll, Ellyse Perry, Alyssa Healy(c), Annabel Sutherland, Beth Mooney(w), Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Alana King, Lucy Hamilton, Darcie Brown.