Heather Knight reflects on challenging conditions in bruising England defeat to India - 'It was super extreme'
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Updated 16/12/2023 at 13:24 GMT
England captain Heather Knight gave an open and honest assessment of a brutal one-off Test match against India, after falling to a heavy defeat in Mumbai. The tourists broke an unwanted record after being on the receiving end of the heaviest defeat in the history of women’s test cricket - 347 runs. India will head into their next Test against Australia full of confidence, starting on December 21.
NAVI MUMBAI, INDIA - DECEMBER 15: Heather Knight of England makes their way off after being dismissed during day 2 of the Test match between India Women and England Women at DY Patil Stadium on December 15, 2023 in Navi Mumbai, India. (Photo by Pankaj Nan
Image credit: Getty Images
Heather Knight says England had to combat "super extreme" conditions in their mammoth 347-defeat to India in Mumbai.
They succumbed to the highest-ever defeat in women's test cricket by 347 runs, after only managing paltry totals of 136 and 131 in their two innings.
The playing surface and high temperatures played their part, and Knight remained upbeat despite the heavy loss.
"There are plenty of learnings we can take from this," said Knight in quotes published by the BBC.
"In the main formats we play, which are in white-ball cricket, you're not often exposed to conditions like this.
"It was super extreme and I'll be surprised if we play in something like this again unless we play a Test match here in the near future."
England had to chase down 478 runs after India declared at 186-6, with the tourists' struggles on the crease emphasised by the fact that Sophia Dunkley's and Tammy Beaumont's dismal total of 27 was their second-highest partnership of the innings.
However, the skipper believes that the side would have produced a much-improved display had a second test taken place.
"If we had another Test match after this, we would have learned a lot," she added.
"But the pitch deteriorated quicker than we thought it would. It was a lot easier to bat on first, and then India bowled outstandingly well and showed us how to play in these conditions.
"When they batted, they showed us how to get the right balance between attack and defence and put the pressure back on our bowlers. They suited these conditions and executed their plans."
It was a frustrating end to the tour for England, who managed to win the T20 series 2-1 ahead of this one-off Test match.
Meanwhile, India will head into their next Test against Australia full of confidence, which takes place between December 21 and 24.
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