Test cricket is seen as the real challenge for cricketers worldwide. Opening batters face tough conditions and the best bowlers, making their role hard. Women’s Test cricket has advanced significantly, and today’s standards are high. Opening partnerships have been crucial in achieving wins, saving matches, and showing dominance. These players displayed great focus, skill, and teamwork, leaving a lasting impact on future cricketers.
Here are the five highest opening partnerships in Women’s Test cricket history.
5. Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana: 167-Run Partnership Against ENG-W, 2021
In the only Test of India Women’s 2021 tour to England, Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma made a 167-run opening partnership in the second innings. India was responding to England’s big total of 396 in the first innings. The duo took their time and reached the partnership in 48 overs before Kate Cross took the first wicket. Mandhana scored 78 runs from 155 balls, and Verma scored 96 runs from 152 balls, including two sixes, just missing a century. Despite this, their 167-run partnership set a record.
ALSO CHECK: Shafali Verma Makes History in Women’s Cricket
4. Belinda Clarke and Hagget: 178-Run Partnership v. IND-W, 1991
Australian cricket legends Belinda Haggett and Belinda Clark made a strong start, scoring 178 runs together against India in the first Test of the 1991 series in North Sydney. Clark scored a brilliant century, while Haggett added 78 runs. Their partnership helped Australia reach 301 runs in the first innings. Despite their great performance, the match ended in a draw.
3. Arran Brindle and Caroline Atkins: 200-Run Partnership against. IND-W, 2002
In a strong performance, Caroline Atkins and Arran Brindle of England Women set a record partnership of 200 runs for the first wicket in a Test match during their tour of India.
Choosing to bat first, Atkins and Brindle took advantage of the good conditions in Lucknow. They came close to scoring centuries, with Atkins getting out at 90 and Brindle at 85, dismissed by Goyal.
Despite this, their impressive 200-run partnership helped England reach a total of 314 runs in their first innings.
ALSO CHECK: IND vs SA, Final Match Preview, Dream11 Tips, Pitch Report and Match Details
2. Sajjida Shah and Kiran Baluch: 241 Partnership vs. WI-W, 2004
In March 2004, Kiran Baluch and Sajjida Shah made the second-highest opening partnership in Women’s Test cricket, scoring 241 runs against West Indies in Karachi.
This strong partnership gave Pakistan Women a good start. Shah almost scored a century but was out at 98 runs, breaking their stand.
Baluch scored 242 runs, helping Pakistan reach a total of 426 runs. However, the game ended in a draw on March 18.
1. Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana: 292 Run Partnership Against South Africa, 2024
On June 28, 2024, Indian openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma made history with the highest opening partnership in Women’s Test cricket.
Playing against South Africa in Chennai, they both scored centuries, putting up a 292-run partnership. Smriti was out in the 51st over, just one run short of 150, while Verma hit the fastest double century in Test history. Their amazing start helped India reach 525 runs by the end of day one.
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