More experience will help avoid session-end dismissals: Mandhana

Bristol: Lack of experience in negotiating the closing stages of a session was a major reason behind the batting collapse India suffered on the second day of the one-off Test against England Women, reckons opener Smriti Mandhana. Madhana, a stylish left-hander, and young Shafali Verma had forged a solid 167-run stand with their half-centuries in India’s response to the massive England first innings total of 396/9 declared. However, India lost five wickets in a hurry to lose the plot and were eventually forced to follow-on. “Definitely, a slight pressure of ending the day ‘not out’, might have played a part (in the loss of wickets in a heap) and that will come with experience,” Mandhana said after rain forced early stumps on day three. “The more we play Test matches, the more we’ll get used to the conditions – one over before lunch or one over before the day’s end and all those sessions, so we can be more mature about (approaching them) and not take pressure.”