India Women take on Australia Women in a day-night pink-ball Test at the historic WACA Ground in Perth from March 6 to 9, 2026. This is the only Test of India’s multi-format tour of Australia and marks the first major international match at the redeveloped WACA venue.
Harmanpreet Kaur leads India, while Alyssa Healy captains Australia in what will be her farewell Test match. India won the T20I series 2-1 earlier on this tour, but Australia swept the ODI series 3-0 to retain the multi-format trophy.
Both teams now look to end the tour on a high note in this four-day pink-ball contest that promises pace, bounce, and plenty of drama under the Perth lights.
Australia Women vs India Women Match Preview
This pink-ball Test is the final fixture of India Women’s tour of Australia 2026. It is part of a multi-format series where each T20I or ODI win earns 2 points, and the Test offers 4 points to the winner or 2 each for a draw. Australia has already secured the multi-format series after their 3-0 ODI sweep. However, India will look to salvage pride after their dominant T20I series win. The match also carries emotional weight as it will be Alyssa Healy’s last international appearance.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Australia Women vs India Women, Only Test |
| Date | 06 March – 09 March 2026 |
| Time | 1:20 PM Local / 5:20 AM GMT / 10:50 AM IST |
| Venue | WACA Ground, Perth |
| Series | India Women’s tour of Australia 2025/26 |
| Context | Day-night pink-ball Test, Alyssa Healy’s farewell match |
Pitch Report
The WACA Ground is famous for its pace and bounce. Fast bowlers have always enjoyed bowling at this venue because the surface offers genuine carry and lateral movement. The pink ball adds another layer of challenge, as it tends to swing and seam more under the floodlights, especially during the twilight period between the afternoon and evening sessions.
The pitch is made of hard, dry soil that produces even bounce and rewards batters who play through the line with confidence. The redeveloped WACA retains its reputation as a fast bowler’s paradise. In the most recent Women’s Test here, against South Africa in February 2024, Darcie Brown took 5-21 as South Africa collapsed to 76 in their first innings. Annabel Sutherland then scored a double century (210) on the same surface. Spinners can come into play as the match progresses and the surface wears down, but the primary threat will come from the fast bowlers throughout.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Type | Fast and bouncy, pace-friendly |
| Pink Ball Factor | Extra swing and seam under lights |
| Pace vs Spin | Pacers dominate; spinners useful on later days |
| Toss Factor | Bowl first preferred, especially on Day 1 |
| Key Challenge | Twilight session when pink ball moves the most |
Weather Report
Perth in early March typically offers hot and dry conditions, ideal for outdoor cricket. Temperatures on the match days should range from 18°C to 30°C. Afternoons will be warm, with the mercury touching around 28-32°C, before dropping to a pleasant 18-20°C under lights in the evening sessions. The skies look clear with minimal chance of rain. Perth’s famous Fremantle Doctor, a cooling sea breeze, usually kicks in during the afternoon and can affect swing bowling. Humidity will stay low, making conditions comfortable for players throughout the four days.
| Condition | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 18-32°C (cooler under lights) |
| Sky | Clear and sunny |
| Rain Chance | Very low |
| Humidity | Low |
| Wind | Fremantle Doctor (afternoon sea breeze) |
| Overall | Excellent conditions for a day-night Test |
Toss Prediction
The captain who wins the toss at the WACA is likely to bowl first. The pink ball tends to do more early on, especially in the afternoon session when there is still some moisture in the surface. Pacers can exploit the extra bounce and seam movement on a fresh pitch. The twilight session between afternoon and evening brings the most difficult batting conditions, as the pink ball moves sharply under changing light. Batting becomes easier once the floodlights fully take over and the ball softens. Expect the toss winner to insert the opposition and try to take early wickets with the new pink ball.
Injury Updates
Australia: The hosts head into this Test with a few injury concerns. Kim Garth and Sophie Molineux have both been ruled out due to a quad injury and a back complaint. Ellyse Perry also suffered a quad strain during the ODI series, and while Australia remains hopeful she will play, it may be only as a specialist batter. Rachel Trenaman and Maitlan Brown have been called up as replacements. Alyssa Healy will captain the side in her farewell Test.
India: Renuka Singh Thakur has been ruled out of the Test to manage her workload after playing across the T20I and ODI legs of the tour. Kashvee Gautam replaces her in the squad. India has seven players who could make their Test debut, including opener Pratika Rawal, who returns from the ankle injury that ended her ODI World Cup campaign.
Dream11 Team For India Women vs Australia Women
India Women vs Australia Women Head-to-Head Records in Tests
India Women and Australia Women have a long history in Test cricket. Australia dominates the head-to-head record by a wide margin. The two teams have met in 12 Women’s Tests overall, with Australia winning 8, India winning 1, and 3 matches ending in draws. India’s only Test victory against Australia came in December 2023, when they won by 8 wickets in Mumbai. Women’s Test cricket has seen a revival in recent years, and this pink-ball clash at the WACA adds a modern twist to this classic rivalry.
| Category | Stats |
|---|---|
| Total Women’s Test Matches | 12 |
| Australia Women Win | 8 |
| India Women Win | 1 |
| Draws | 3 |
| Last Test Meeting | India won by 8 wickets (Dec 2023, Mumbai) |
| Previous Test at WACA | Australia beat South Africa by an innings and 284 runs (Feb 2024) |
Last Five Test Meetings
- IND Women won by 8 wickets, 21 Dec 2023
- Match drawn 30-Sep-2021
- AUS Women won by an innings and 4 runs 18-Feb-2006
- AUS Women won by 9 wickets, 09-Feb-1991
- AUS Women won by 10 wickets 02-Feb-1991
Suggested Reads:
Top Picks For The Match
| Player | Team | Role | Key Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smriti Mandhana | IND-W | Batter | 629 runs in last 7 Tests at avg 57.18, India’s most reliable batter in the format |
| Deepti Sharma | IND-W | All-rounder | 20 wickets in 5 Tests at economy 2.21, key with bat and ball in long format |
| Harmanpreet Kaur | IND-W | Batter | India captain, experienced match-winner, crucial in the middle order |
| Jemimah Rodrigues | IND-W | Batter | Strong on the back foot, built a 121-run stand with Mandhana in the 3rd T20I |
| Annabel Sutherland | AUS-W | All-rounder | Scored 210 in the last Women’s Test at WACA, 586 runs in 6 Tests at avg 83.71 |
| Alyssa Healy | AUS-W | WK-Batter | Farewell Test, scored 158 off 98 in final ODI, 24 dismissals behind stumps in Tests |
| Ashleigh Gardner | AUS-W | All-rounder | Offers balance with off-spin and aggressive batting, scored 57 in the 3rd T20I |