India Women and England Women meet in a historic one-off Test at Lord's
England hold a 45% win probability, while India are at 29%, according to Google's predictor
Lord's hosts its first-ever women's Test, with both teams eyeing a landmark victory
India Women and England Women are set to script history when they face off in the one-off Test at Lord's, the first women's Test ever to be played at the iconic 'Home of Cricket'. Beginning on Friday, the four-day contest comes just days after the ICC Women's T20 World Cup and is expected to draw record crowds, with over 30,000 tickets already sold.
The occasion also marks 50 years since England Women first played at Lord's, adding another layer of significance to an already landmark fixture.
India enter the match with confidence, having not lost a women's Test to England since 1995. Harmanpreet Kaur will lead a side packed with proven performers such as Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma and Renuka Singh.
However, the visitors have suffered a setback with opener Pratika Rawal ruled out due to a knee injury, prompting the inclusion of Priya Punia in the squad. England, captained by Nat Sciver-Brunt, will look to make home advantage count with experienced names like Tammy Beaumont, Sophia Dunkley, Heather Knight, Sophie Ecclestone and Lauren Bell. The match will also serve as Beaumont's farewell from international cricket, making it an emotional occasion for the hosts.
Conditions at Lord's are expected to offer assistance to seamers early on before easing out for batters as the match progresses. India's spin duo of Deepti Sharma and Shreyanka Patil could become influential in the latter stages, while England's pace attack will aim to exploit the famous Lord's slope with the new ball.
With both teams eager to make history in the venue's inaugural women's Test, fans can expect a fiercely contested battle between two evenly matched sides in one of the most significant fixtures in women's cricket.
India-W Vs England-W, One-Off Test: Match Prediction
The historic one-off Test at Lord's promises to be a closely fought contest, but Google's win predictor gives England Women a slight edge with a 45% chance of victory, compared to India Women's 29%, while the probability of a draw stands at 26%.
England's advantage stems from home conditions and familiarity with Lord's, though India's impressive recent Test record against England makes Harmanpreet Kaur's side a serious threat. With seam-friendly conditions expected early and both teams boasting quality all-rounders, a competitive four-day battle appears likely.
India-W Vs England-W, One-Off Test: Predicted Playing XIs
England Women (ENG-W) Probable 11: Tammy Beaumont (WK), Maia Bouchier, Heather Knight (C), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Amy Jones, Alice Capsey, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Bell, Lauren Filer, Mady Villiers, Issy Wong
India Women (IND-W) Probable 11: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Richa Ghosh (WK), Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Sayali Satghare, Renuka Singh, Pratika Rawal, Kranti Gaud
