Yastika Bhatia became the primary woman to attain a Test century at Lord’s as India left England on the point of a humbling defeat heading into the ultimate day.
The 26-year-old left-hander, who had resumed on day three on 39 not out, hit 14 fours as she went to 100 off 145 balls before eventually miscuing Sophie Ecclestone to Mady Villiers because the tourists upped the tempo with a declaration looming.
Bhatia was the foremost contributor to a second-innings total of 347 for seven declared by which Richa Ghosh scored an unbeaten 50 at just below a run a ball before skipper Harmanpreet Kaur called her batters from the sphere having set the hosts an improbable 457 for victory.
By the top of a disastrous final session, Nat Sciver-Brunt’s side were languishing on 130 for six, still 326 adrift and staring defeat firmly within the face.
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Rapturous applause
Resuming at 154 for one, India suffered early losses as opener Smriti Mandhana was caught behind for 70 off the bowling of Lauren Bell, who then clean-bowled Jemimah Rodrigues for 3.
Nevertheless, Bhatia stood firm, reaching three figures with a single after nudging the ultimate ball of the 68th over to extra cover to rapturous applause before removing her helmet to kiss the Lord’s turf in celebration.
Ecclestone, who had removed opener Shafali Verma on Saturday, trapped Harmanpreet after which Deepti Sharma in front before finally ending Bhatia’s 223-minute stay on the crease.
Then she secured a spot on the honours board when she bowled Sneh Rana for one to complete with figures of 5 for 118 from her 33.3 overs.
PICTURE: Steven Paston/PA
Farewell duo fall early
Tammy Beaumont, playing her final match for England before her retirement from international cricket, fell first ball to Kranti Gaud.
Fellow opener Maia Bouchier joined her back within the pavilion with the innings only 14 balls and 6 runs old.
Heather Knight, also representing her country for the last time, and her successor as skipper Sciver-Brunt briefly steadied the ship.
Nevertheless, after successfully difficult an lbw decision, Sciver-Brunt attempted a sweep from the very next ball and heard it clatter into her stumps to depart the rating at 23 for 3.
Knight soon followed, caught at short leg off Gaud for 13 as England were reduced to 34 for 3, like Beaumont receiving a guard of honour from the Indian team as she left the sphere.
PICTURE: Mike Egerton/PA
Half-century for Jones
Alice Capsey’s departure after she was bowled by Sayali Satghare for 21 reduced England to 59 for five.
Amy Jones was reprieved on review after being given out leg before to Rana for 34 with the rating on 102 as she and Villiers provided some resistance.
Nevertheless, Villiers was unlucky to succumb to a surprising instinctive catch by Ghosh at silly mid-off for 26 as she attempted to drive Rana.
Although Jones accomplished her second half-century of the match after being joined on the wicket by Ecclestone and the pair were still there on the close.
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