England v India: Maddy Villiers ‘very impressive’ on dream Test debut at Lord’s but ‘tough slog’ ahead for hosts? | cricket news

The day I saw Sophie Ecclestone has become England Women’s leading wicket-taker in all formatsThe first day of the women’s Test at Lord’s had another standout spinner – who was making her debut.

Maddy Villiers, who has played just five matches for England – three ODIs and two T20Is against Ireland in the late summer of 2024 – over the past five years, impressed as he made his Test bow, taking 2-79.

It was his spell in the afternoon session, bowling in tandem with pacer EC Wang (2-41), that helped England claw their way back as India, well placed at 190-3, were all out for 285 on the first evening.

“He’s making his Test debut, but he’s had a day like he’s played 10 of them,” Sky Sports CricketNick Knight said about the 27-year-old off-spinner.

“He’s been really impressive in getting England back into this competition.”

‘Dream dismissal’ on debut for Villiers

Wong started India’s wobble late in the afternoon by dismissing Smriti Mandhana (83), before Villiers followed up a stunning maiden Test wicket, bowling India captain Harmanpreet Kaur (58) with a wicked delivery.

“It’s a dream come true and he’ll talk about it forever,” Sky Sports CricketEbony Rainford-Brent Dr.

“Maddy is well-liked in the dressing room, and you can sense that the first wicket means a lot not only to him but to the squad as well.

“The thing that really stood out for me is that he’s coming into confidence here; just before that he took 4-14 for Durham, and he was ready to give it some air and bowl the whole to induce a drive.

“Finally he got one right, including a dip and spin for the wicket.”

Wong, Speaking Sky Sports Cricket At the end of the game on the first day, his teammates were full of praise.

“He bowled incredibly today,” Wang said. “It’s been a long time for Mads. He’s obviously played in the other two formats for a while now.

“We’ve all been buzzing for him to come back, bring on the Whites today and that’s exactly why he’s in the team.”

Sky Sports CricketIts Mel Jones also singled out Wang for praise.

“He has done tremendously well on many fronts,” said the former Australia cricketer.

“Lauren Bell and Lauren Filler played in that first hour and Wang didn’t quite get it right in his first spell of six overs. But he made some adjustments for his second spell. It was a player thinking on his feet.

“His sparring with Harmanpreet led to his Mandhana wicket and he combined well with Villiers.”

‘Hard slog’ in front of England?

But with the success of Villiers and Wong, as well as three late wickets by Ecclestone which saw India bowled out for 285, Jones believes it could be a “tough slog” for England.

Nat Syver-Brant won the toss and decided to put the visitors in but, on a turning track to further collapse in four days, Jones thought England needed to bowl India out for less than 200 runs.

“England had some good stuff. But I think when you win the toss and get India down – on a wicket that will be torn down – you’re not looking for 280 plus,” he said.

“You want to get them out earlier. But I don’t think England got things right and applied enough pressure.

“We’ve already seen some balls go up and down towards the end of the first day, beaten with both sides of the bat, so if India get it right tomorrow, it will be a tough slog for England.

“I think 285 is a really good score; they got off to flyers, three passed fifties – they would have loved someone to get on the honors board, even though they didn’t get there.

“But India will sit in the changing room at this point and say ‘this is a very good day’.”

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