.jpg "Top 5 Opening Partnerships In Women’s Tests")
Shafali Verma-Smriti Mandhana creates history with 292-Runs stand (X.com)
Test cricket is often considered as the real test for professional cricketers around the globe. Opening batters’ role is relatively difficult as they venture into the unknown of the pitch conditions while facing the opposition’s best bowlers on the deck.
That being said, women’s Test cricket has come a long way, and modern-day cricket has raised the bar altogether. Meanwhile, whether setting up victories, saving matches, or establishing dominance, opening partnerships have often played a pivotal role in the history of Women’s Test cricket.
The players involved demonstrated great concentration, technique, and teamwork, making their achievements memorable and inspiring for future generations of cricketers.
Let’s look at the five highest opening partnerships ever recorded in the history of Women’s Test cricket.
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Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma Vs ENG-W (X.com)
In the only Test of India Women’s tour to England in 2021, Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma stitched up a 167 runs opening stand in the second innings.
India was replying to England’s mammoth 396 first-innings total. The duo took their time and brought up the partnership in 48 overs before Kate Cross drew the first blood.
While Mandhana contributed with 78 (155), Verma scored 96 (152), including a couple of sixes and missed out on a well-deserved century. Regardless, the 167 runs opening stand was enough to put the Indian duo in record books.
Belinda Clark unleashes her magic in Tests (X.com)
Australian legendary openers Belinda Hagger and Belinda Clark formed a formidable opening partnership of 178 runs against India in the first Test of the 1991 series held in North Sydney.
Clark unleashed her dominance with a magnificent century, whereas Hagget played her part with 78 runs. The duo’s record partnership steered Australia to a total of 301 runs in the first innings.
However, despite dominating throughout the game, the first Test of the 1991 series between IND-W and AUS-W resulted in a draw.
Arran Brindle playing for England Women (X.com)
In another dominance over Indian Women, Caroline Atkins and Arran Brindle of England Women stitched up a record partnership of 200 runs for the first wicket in the only Test of England tour of India.
After opting to bat first, Atkins and Brindle made the most of the favourable conditions at Lucknow to script a record stand. Both batters were stranded just 10-15 runs short of respective centuries as Atkins got dismissed on 90, whereas Brindle was knocked over by Goyal on 85.
Regardless, the mega 200-run partnership propelled England to a 314-run first-inning total.
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Kiran Baluch after scoring 242 in Test cricket (X.com)
In March 2004, Kiran Baluch and Sajjida Shah set the record for second-highest opening partnership in Women’s Test cricket with a 241-run stand against West Indies at Karachi.
This partnership was crucial in establishing a strong position for Pakistan Women. Shah was denied a well-deserved century by 2 runs, thus breaking the 241 stand.
However, Baluch went on to score 242 runs. Their solid start laid the groundwork for Pakistan to post a significant 426 total. But the game was drawn by the end of day 4 on March 18.
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Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma have the highest partnership in Women’s Test cricket (X.com)
On June 28, 2024, Indian explosive openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma scripted history by stitching the highest-ever opening stand in Women’s Test cricket history.
Batting first in the only Test against South Africa Women held in Chennai, Mandhana and Verma scored a ton each to get a 292-run partnership.
Smriti was dismissed in the 51st over, just one run short of the 150 runs mark. However, Verma scaled new heights with the fastest double ton in Test history. Their groundbreaking start steered India to 525 runs total by the end of day 1 itself.
