Nineteen-year-old Lucy Hamilton delivered a composed and impressive display on her Test debut, claiming three wickets to help Australia gain the upper hand on the opening day against India at the WACA Ground.
The left-arm fast bowler dismissed key batters including Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues as India were bowled out for 198, giving Australia an early advantage in the one-off Test.
Rapid Rise to the Test Arena
It has been a remarkable week for Hamilton. The teenager made her international debut for Australia just days earlier in the third ODI against India, where retiring captain Alyssa Healy presented her with her cap.
By the middle of the week, as preparations continued for the day-night Test that concludes the multi-format series, Hamilton learned she would also make her Test debut at the historic WACA Ground. On this occasion, she received her baggy green from Beth Mooney, another player she had admired growing up.
Despite the magnitude of the occasion, Hamilton produced a calm performance after Healy chose to bowl first on a green surface.
Dream First Wicket
Hamilton shared the new ball with Darcie Brown and received a loud reception from the crowd when she came into the attack. She quickly settled into her rhythm and even appealed for an early lbw against Shafali Verma, though the review showed an inside edge.
Her first Test wicket soon followed and was a memorable one. In her third over, Hamilton dismissed Smriti Mandhana with a full delivery that angled in before moving away to beat the bat and crash into middle stump.
The wicket also marked Hamilton’s first in international cricket after she finished with 0 for 46 in nine overs in the third ODI at Bellerive Oval.
“Smriti is a really high-quality player. It was nice to get my first wicket,” Hamilton told reporters. “I didn’t get a wicket in the ODI, so it was nice to get that and the monkey off the back. Then kind of kept rolling on from there.”
Key Wickets in Second Spell
Hamilton’s opening spell returned figures of 1 for 12 from five overs. She later returned to remove Jemimah Rodrigues, who top-scored for India with 52, and Sneh Rana.
Although both dismissals involved mistakes from the batters, Hamilton maintained consistent pressure and finished her debut with figures of 3 for 31 from 11 overs as India were dismissed for 198.
“It was really special,” she said. “To get the first wicket of the game… but to do my job and come on for a second spell and impact the game was really nice. It’s what a fast bowler wants to do.
“The team’s so supportive. Even going out to the ground…I think that’s why I’m a lot less nervous just knowing that they all back me and support me on-and-off the field.”
Praise from Rodrigues
While Hamilton’s performance brought her into the spotlight, India batter Jemimah Rodrigues was already familiar with her abilities. Rodrigues captained Hamilton at Delhi Capitals during the recent Women’s Premier League, where the young Australian also demonstrated her batting ability with 36 from 19 balls at No. 9 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
“She gives me similar vibes of [Annabel] Sutherland, just a younger version,” Rodrigues said. “She played her first [WPL] game in front of such a big crowd, which she’s never played before, and was not fazed by anything. She just was very clear on what she had to do and executed, even contributed with the bat.”
Debutants Impress on Opening Day
Hamilton was not the only debutant to stand out on the first day of the Test. Sayali Satghare picked up two wickets, including Georgia Voll with a sharp inswinger, while Kranti Gaud dismissed Phoebe Litchfield.
Kashvee Gautam did not take a wicket in her seven overs but contributed an unbeaten 34 from No. 9, highlighting her all-round capabilities.
“Very impressed to be honest,” Rodrigues said about the debutants. “I know the conditions can help, but you still have got to hit the right line and lengths. They have a lot of fire and determination. They just want to win and take it on. I love seeing the attitude that they have.”
