First Women’s Test at the ‘Home of Cricket’ Lord’s:Challenge of invincible India against England; know everything about the match

A new history is about to be made starting Friday at the historic Lord’s, often called the ‘Mecca of Cricket’. For the first time in 142 years, a women’s Test match will be played here. In this historic encounter, India will face England. The Indian team led by Harmanpreet Kaur and the England team captained by Nat Sciver-Brunt are fully prepared to make this moment memorable. For cricket fans, this match will be nothing short of thrilling. Find out everything you need to know in this explainer Why did it take so long for the first women’s Test to be held at Lord’s? A women’s Test is being held here 142 years after the first men’s Test. Since 1937, the England women’s team has played 55 Tests at 19 different grounds, but Lord’s remained untouched. In June 2023, a report by the Commission for Equality in Cricket described the absence of a women’s Test at Lord’s as shameful. The report stated, ‘The Home of Cricket (Lord’s) is still a men’s home.’ It was only after this that the board took action, and the historic match was scheduled. Are there any major differences in the rules between women’s Test and men’s Test matches? The biggest difference in the rules of women’s Test compared to men’s is the number of days. Men’s Tests are five days long. Women’s Tests are played for only four days. However, there have also been two five-day women’s Tests in history. In women’s Tests, there is a rule for at least 100 overs to be bowled in a day, whereas in men’s, it is 90 overs. In women’s Tests, the follow-on can be enforced with a lead of 150 runs instead of 200 runs. Who has the upper hand between India and England? In Tests, India has the upper hand. India has not lost a Test to England since 1995. On English soil, India remains undefeated so far. Out of 9 Tests, India has won 2 and 7 have been drawn. The last Test between the two was held in December 2023 in Navi Mumbai, which India won by 347 runs. On English soil, the two teams last clashed in 2014. What is the recent form of both teams before this historic Test match? Recently, India was knocked out of the T20 World Cup in the group stage, while England lost to Australia in the final. Speaking of Tests, India played a Test against Australia in Perth in March, which they lost. This was India’s first Test loss since 2006. Meanwhile, England played their last Test in January 2025. The English team has won only one of their last 10 Test matches played since 2015. Which new players will be in focus? There are 8 players in both teams who are joining the Test squad for the first time. India’s Harleen Deol, Sri Charani, and fast bowler Nandini Sharma are uncapped. Meanwhile, England includes young players like Alice Capsey and 18-year-old Tilly Corton-Coleman. Fans will have a special eye on England’s fast bowler Lauren Filer and India’s star batter Smriti Mandhana. A tough competition will be seen for a spot in the top order.