England vs India Toss: Nat Sciver-Brunt Opts to Bowl in Historic Women’s Lord’s Test

England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt won the toss and elected to bowl first against India in the historic first-ever women’s Test at Lord’s on Friday.

Explaining the decision, Sciver-Brunt said England wanted to make the most of the fresh conditions with the ball before the expected sunshine throughout the match.

England vs India Toss: England win, choose to bowl in historic first women’s Test at Lord’s

England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt won the toss and elected to bowl first against India in the historic first-ever women’s Test at Lord’s, with the hosts looking to make early use of the conditions in a landmark occasion for women’s cricket.

The four-day contest marks the first women’s Test to be played at the Home of Cricket, 142 years after Lord’s hosted its inaugural men’s Test.

Nat Sciver-Brunt explains decision to bowl first

Sciver-Brunt said England expected the surface to offer the most assistance to the seamers early in the game before the sunny conditions flattened out the pitch.

“We’re going to have a bowl. The most we can get out of the wicket with the bowlers is now. The sun is going to be out the whole time.

“I’m looking forward to getting out there as a team. We had a couple of days at home for people to have some relax time, recharging. We’re stood here on such a special occasion.”

The England skipper also confirmed Test debuts for Alice Capsey and Mady Villiers.

Harmanpreet Kaur embraces historic occasion

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur admitted her side would have liked the opportunity to set a first-innings total but said the focus remained on making the most of a once-in-a-lifetime occasion.

“It’s a great opportunity to set a total on the board and let’s see how it goes.

“It’s a very big achievement playing the first Test at Lord’s and we’re really excited about it.

“We have spent a good amount of time in the nets and done everything we need to do.”

England hand two Test debuts

England named Alice Capsey and Mady Villiers in the playing XI for their Test debuts, while India fielded the expected side despite the absence of injured opener Pratika Rawal, who was replaced in the squad by Priya Punia.

The match also serves as England batter Tammy Beaumont’s final international appearance, with the opener set to retire after bringing the curtain down on a 17-year England career.

The England skipper also confirmed Test debuts for Alice Capsey and Mady Villiers.

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur admitted she would have preferred to bat first and embraced the significance of the occasion.

“It’s a great opportunity to set a total on the board and let’s see how it goes. It’s a very big achievement playing the first Test at Lord’s and we’re really excited about it,” Harmanpreet said.

The four-day contest marks the first women’s Test ever played at the Home of Cricket, 142 years after Lord’s hosted its first men’s Test.