No fairytale for retiring great as Aussie star dominates opening day of pink ball Test

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Australia dominated day one of the day/night Test against India at the WACA, but there was no fairytale first innings from retiring captain Alyssa Healy.

Australia reached 3/96 at stumps after knocking over the Indians for 198 after Healy won the toss and elected to bowl on a grassy surface.

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Annabel Sutherland was the star of the opening day show, grabbing 4/46 with the ball before ending the close of play unbeaten on 20 alongside Ellyse Perry (43*).

Healy, batting at No.4, came to the crease to a massive ovation under lights, but unfortunately gave the crowd little else to cheer about.

The skipper was caught at backward point for 13.

She was the final wicket to fall on a day where bowlers hand the upper hand.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 06: Alyssa Healy of Australia walks from the field after being dismissed by Sayali Sathghare of India during day one of the Women’s Test Match between Australia and India at the WACA ground on March 06, 2026 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Debutant Lucy Hamilton was a shining light for the hosts.

The 19-year-old left-arm seamer took 3/31 in her first outing in the baggy green, less than a week after making her ODI debut.

Hamilton took the new pink ball alongside Darcie Brown (2/41) and got the big scalp of Smriti Mandhana, clean bowling her for just 4, in her third over.

She also later dismissed the dangerous Jemimah Rodrigues when she was set on 52 – the next highest score from the visitors was opener Shafali Verma’s 35.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 06: Lucy Hamilton of Australia appeals for a wicket during day one of the Women’s Test Match between Australia and India at the WACA ground on March 06, 2026 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

‘I’m the most competitive person’ | 25:14

The Australians kept themselves out in the field for longer than they needed to, however, on a hot day where temperatures in Perth climbed to 37 degrees.

They dropped four catches, all of which came off Sutherland’s bowling.

The Victorian all-rounder had the pink Kookaburra hooping and was near on unplayable at times.

She could have easily ended up with even more impressive figures has her teammates taken their chances against an India side that is fielding four debutants.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 06: Annabel Sutherland of Australia celebrates the wicket of Deepti Sharma of India during day one of the Women’s Test Match between Australia and India at the WACA ground on March 06, 2026 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

With the bat, Sutherland has scored monster centuries in her last two Test matches.

She smashed 163 in the Ashes Test at the MCG last summer, and piled on 210 against South Africa at the WACA two years ago.

The 24-year-old has the opportunity to go big again on Saturday with soaring temperatures set to take the sting out of the pitch and make life tough for the fielding side.

So too does Perry, who recovered from a quad strain to play in her great mate’s swan song, but is playing as a batter only.

Play will resume at 4.20pm AEDT (1.20pm local time) as Australia try to build a formidable first innings lead.

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