Smriti Mandhana bags unique record with run-a-ball fifty in historic Lord's Test

LONDON: India's left-handed opener Smriti Mandhana etched her name again into history books by registering a run-a-ball fifty on the opening day of their one-off Test against England, underway here at Lord's on Friday.

Mandhana, who opened India's innings after the touring side were put into bat by England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt in the first-ever women's Test at the iconic venue, scored at a brisk pace and eventually brought up her half-century in just 50 deliveries with the help of eight fours and a six.

Her 50-ball half-century was the third-fastest by an Indian batter in women's Tests, bettering her previous record of 51 balls, which she registered against Australia in 2021.

The record for the fastest half-century by an Indian in women's Tests remained with Sangita Dabir, who took just 42 balls to reach the milestone against England in 1995, while Shubha Sateesh continues to hold the second position on the elusive list with her 49-ball fifty against the same opposition in 2023.

Fastest women's Test fifties by Indian batters

• Sangita Dabir – 42 balls against England in 1995

• Shubha Sateesh – 49 balls against England in 2023

• Smriti Mandhana – 50 balls against England in 2026*

• Smriti Mandhana – 51 balls against Australia in 2021

Notably, Mandhana fell agonisingly short of converting her record-setting fifty into a well-deserved century as she fell victim to Issy Wong late in the second session and remained the top-scorer for India with an anchoring 83 off 108 deliveries, studded with 11 fours and a six.