The one-off Test between Australia women’s national cricket team and India women’s national cricket team begins on March 6 as part of the India Women tour of Australia 2026. The match will be played at the historic WACA Ground, with the first ball scheduled for 10:50 AM IST.
This Test has a special emotional context because Australian captain Alyssa Healy is expected to play the final Test of her international career. Australia enter the match as strong favorites due to their dominant record at home, while India will rely on spin and a strong batting lineup to challenge the hosts.
AUS-W vs IND-W Match Details
| Match | Australia Women vs India Women – One-Off Test |
|---|---|
| Series | India Women Tour of Australia 2026 |
| Date | March 6, 2026 |
| Time | 10:50 AM IST |
| Venue | WACA Ground, Perth |
| Format | Test Match |
| Live Telecast | Star Sports Network |
| Live Streaming | JioHotstar |
Australia Women Team Preview
Australia Women have been one of the strongest teams in international cricket for many years. The team combines experience with young talent, which makes them extremely difficult to beat, especially in home conditions.
Batters like Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, and Phoebe Litchfield provide depth and stability in the batting order. The presence of all-rounders such as Ashleigh Gardner and Annabel Sutherland gives the team additional balance.
Australia’s bowling unit includes quality pace bowlers like Darcie Brown and spin options such as Alana King, making them a dangerous team in all conditions.
With a farewell Test for captain Alyssa Healy, the Australian side will be highly motivated to deliver a strong performance.
India Women Team Preview
India Women enter this Test with a talented squad that includes both experienced players and young stars. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur will lead the side, supported by key batters like Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma.
Mandhana has been one of India’s most consistent batters in recent years, while Jemimah Rodrigues adds stability in the middle order.
In the bowling department, India will depend heavily on all-rounder Deepti Sharma, who contributes with both bat and ball. Spinners such as Sneh Rana could also play a crucial role if the pitch starts to assist spin later in the match.
Young batter Pratika Rawal is expected to make her Test debut, adding fresh talent to the Indian lineup.
Pitch Report – WACA Ground, Perth
The WACA Ground traditionally offers a balanced pitch with bounce for fast bowlers and good value for shots for batters. Early in the match, pacers usually get assistance due to extra bounce and movement. As the game progresses, the surface becomes better for batting.
| Pitch Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Type | Balanced |
| Best Suited For | Batters and pace bowlers early |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 315–325 |
| Conditions | Good bounce and carry |
| Weather | Clear skies, around 28-31°C |
| Rain Chances | 0% |
Teams winning the toss may prefer to bat first and put runs on the board.
AUS-W vs IND-W Head-to-Head Record (Tests)
| Matches | Australia Women Wins | India Women Wins | Draw |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 4 | 1 | 6 |
Australia Women have historically dominated the rivalry, especially in home conditions.
Players to Watch
Top Batters
| Player | Team | Role | Runs | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smriti Mandhana | IND-W | Batter | 629 | 7 |
| Beth Mooney | AUS-W | WK-Batter | 559 | 8 |
| Alyssa Healy | AUS-W | WK-Batter | 489 | 10 |
Top Bowlers
| Player | Team | Role | Wickets | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashleigh Gardner | AUS-W | All-rounder | 28 | 7 |
| Darcie Brown | AUS-W | Bowler | 13 | 5 |
| Deepti Sharma | IND-W | All-rounder | 20 | 5 |
Probable Playing XI
Australia Women
Beth Mooney, Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Alyssa Healy (c), Tahlia McGrath, Ashleigh Gardner, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham, Alana King, Darcie Brown, Georgia Voll
India Women
Smriti Mandhana (vc), Shafali Verma, Pratika Rawal, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Sneh Rana, Kashvee Gautam, Sayali Satghare, Kranti Gaud
Final playing XI will be confirmed at the toss.
Match Prediction – Australia Women vs India Women
Australia Women start as clear favorites due to their strong record at home and a balanced squad. However, India Women have the potential to challenge them if their top order performs well and their spinners find rhythm.
Match Prediction Scenarios
| Scenario | Toss Result | Expected Score | Likely Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS-W bat first | 320+ | Defend | Australia Women |
| IND-W bat first | 260-300 | Tough contest | Australia Women |
| Balanced match | Either team | Around 300 | Close match |
Australia Women have around 80–85% winning probability in this one-off Test. Their strong batting lineup and home advantage give them the edge.
However, if Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma perform well, India Women could push the match towards a draw or even an upset victory.







