Head coach Shelley Nitschke said that Australia would try and stretch their lead to 100-150 to give India a challenging target on a deteriorating pitch in the Only Test at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

At Stumps on Day 3, Australia have managed to take a lead of 46 runs with five wickets left in their second innings. Annabel Sutherland and Ashleigh Gardner are the overnight batters for the visiting team.

After conceding a lead of 186 in their first innings, Australia showed resistance in their second innings. Tahlia McGrath scored 73 and also put on 84 runs with Ellyse Perry.

Nitschke also spoke about the need to break the partnership between Pooja Vastrakar and Deepti Sharma after the duo put on 122 runs for the fourth wicket.

“We have had a bit of a chat about it overnight, we needed to break that stand, it was a crucial stand, and we were in a good position when Deepti and Vastrakar came out. Fortunately it came off today. The conditions have been the biggest adaption, lucky that we had some time training,” Nitschke was quoted as saying after the day’s play.

Nitschke also heaped praise on McGrath and Gardner for putting their hands up in a crisis. Gardner was the pick of the bowlers for Australia in the first innings after she finished with figures of 41-7-100-4 in the first innings.

“Test cricket presents different challenges, and from the England Test to here, the conditions are the biggest challenge. Ash Gardner was outstanding for us with the ball; McGrath was outstanding both innings with the bat. We built partnerships which we did not do in the 1st innings.

“There have been some really good individual performances along the way. Regardless of what we set, we have to bowl well. Anywhere near 100-150 we will take that,” she added.