Smriti Mandhana brings up historic century after Ellyse Perry’s costly blunder

Indian batter Smriti Mandhana has made history on the Gold Coast with a classy century, albeit with some help from Ellyse Perry.

Smriti Mandhana has become the first Indian woman to score a Test century on Australian soil – albeit with some help from Ellyse Perry.

Resuming day two on 80 not out, Mandhana brought up her maiden Test century in the afternoon session, reaching the milestone in 170 balls.

The 25-year-old’s classy knock featured 18 boundaries and a six, helping the tourists take control of the historic pink-ball Test on the Gold Coast.

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But Mandhana’s masterclass almost came to an abrupt end on her second delivery of the day, with the left-hander gifted an extra life at the crease.

Australian all-rounder Perry dished up a wide full-toss, which Mandhana looked to slap through point, but Beth Mooney lunged to her right to snare a phenomenal one-handed catch inches from the turf.

“Smriti Mandhana cannot believe she’s missed the fully there,” Channel 7’s Jason Richardson cried in commentary.

However, the on-field umpires wanted to check the front-foot no-ball before Mandhana returned to the pavilion, and replays showed that Perry had indeed overstepped by less than an inch.

Mandhana hits a full toss straight to Mooney at point.

But Perry has overstepped #AUSvIND#PinkBallTestpic.twitter.com/r0wXO58p27

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) October 1, 2021

Oh. My. Goodness. Smriti caught off a Perry no ball. That could be a huge moment. #AUSvIND

— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) October 1, 2021

Oh Ellyse... #AUSvIND

— Scott Bailey (@ScottBaileyAAP) October 1, 2021

“Oh dear, oh no,” former Australian captain Lisa Sthalekar said on Channel 7.

“I can’t believe it. What a let off.”

Richardson called it “the ultimate sin for a fast bowler.”

Perry’s bowling has been under the microscope since she suffered a hamstring injury during last year’s T20 World Cup.

The 30-year-old has struggled with the ball since her return from injury, with some pundits questioning whether she should focus solely on her batting.

Perry bowled just seven overs across six games during the white-ball series against New Zealand back in March – she has conceded 172 runs since her last wicket in international cricket.

Ellyse Perry has conceded 172 runs since her last wicket in international cricket. Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images

Speaking ahead of the multi-format series against India, Perry was adamant she had no intention of giving up the ball.

“A lot was made of the limited impact that I had with the ball and it’s been a really great challenge to continue to evolve and try to improve that,” Perry said.

“Right across my career I’ve really enjoyed the challenge trying to get better and evolve my game because the game’s evolved so much.

“I feel really fortunate and in a sense proud that I‘ve been involved with the team for so long.

“You’ve always got to evolve. But, yeah, maybe more so than in recent years.

“It was really stark, some great opportunities that I had to hopefully improve.”

Mandhana was eventually removed by off-spinner Ash Gardner for 127 after driving a full delivery towards Tahlia McGrath at short cover.

India was 2/197 after 70 overs, with Punam Raut unbeaten on 31.