🏏England Women vs India Women, One-off Test @ Lord's, London🏏

🏏England Women vs India Women, One-off Test @ Lord's, London🏏

Harmanpreet Kaur-led India and Nat Sciver-Brunt-led England will etch their names in the history books when they take the field against each other in the first-ever women's Test at Lord's, starting today.

The one-off Test between the two sides marks the first women's Test at the iconic venue, 142 years after Lord's staged its inaugural men's Test.

For India, the match also presents an opportunity to bounce back after a disappointing group-stage exit from the 2026 T20 World Cup, while England aim to recover from an innings defeat to Australia in their most recent Test and the T20 World Cup final loss to the same opponents.

India aims to reset

The early exit from the T20 World Cup has given India additional time to prepare for the red-ball challenge. Harmanpreet Kaur's side trained at Wormsley Cricket Ground ahead of what will be their second Test of the year, after the pink-ball defeat to Australia at the WACA in March.

Head coach Amol Muzumdar said playing the first-ever women's Test at Lord's was a special occasion and that representing India in the longest format at the iconic venue was a dream for every cricketer. He added that the players were excited about the opportunity long before the T20 World Cup began and would cherish the chance to wear the whites at the Home of Cricket.

India are expected to continue with Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma at the top of the order. Priya Punia has replaced the injured Pratika Rawal in the squad, while Harleen Deol, spinner N Shree Charani and pacer Nandani Sharma are among those pushing for Test debuts.

Strong red-ball record against England

Although Test opportunities have been limited in recent years, India have enjoyed considerable success against England in the format. They have won three of their last four Tests against the hosts and remain unbeaten in women's Tests played in England, recording two wins and seven draws.

Their most recent meeting ended in a commanding 347-run victory in Navi Mumbai in 2023, while their only other Test before the Australia defeat was a comfortable win over South Africa in Chennai in 2024.

England seek to bounce back with new faces

England arrive at Lord's looking to rebuild after suffering a comprehensive innings defeat to Australia earlier this year. Under captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, the hosts have assembled a squad blending experienced campaigners with emerging talent.

Alice Capsey, Eleanor Threlkeld, Grace Potts, Mady Villiers and teenage spinner Tilly Corteen-Coleman have all earned maiden Test call-ups as England begin another phase in the longest format

Like India, England will have to quickly adapt from the demands of T20 cricket to the patience and tactical discipline required in a four-day red-ball contest.

Beaumont set for final appearance

The Lord's Test will also mark former T20I skipper Tammy Beaumont's final appearance in international cricket after the experienced opener announced her decision to retire following the match.

Beaumont, one of only two England women to score international centuries across all three formats, said the occasion felt like the perfect moment to bring the curtain down on a career that had exceeded her expectations.

She also leaves behind the distinction of becoming the first English woman to score a Test double-century, having made 208 during the 2023 Women's Ashes.

Eng women vs India women One-Off Test: Playing 11

England women playing 11 (probable):Tammy Beaumont (wk), Alice Capsey, Heather Knight, Amy Jones (wk), Maia Bouchier, Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Emma Lamb, Mady Villiers, Lauren Bell, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer

India women playing 11 (probable): Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Sayali Satghare, Shree Charani, Kranti Goud, Renuka Thakur