Watch: Pooja Vastrakar struck twice in two balls during the morning session of day three of the Test between India and England today (December 16), snaring Sophia Dunkley before pinning back Nat Sciver-Brunt’s off stump.

India declared before the start of play in Navi Mumbai and set England a mammoth target of 479. The record final innings chase in women’s Tests is 198. Nevertheless England started positively, with both Sophia Dunkley and Tammy Beaumont finding the boundary early before Beaumont was bowled by Renuka Singh Thakur for 17.

Two overs later, Vastrakar came into the attack at the other end for Sneh Rana and made a near instant impact. Bowling the third delivery of her over to Dunkley, she dropped the ball in short outside off stump. Dunkley fell for the bait and looked to cut the ball into the off side. However, she sliced the ball straight into the hands of substitute fielder Harleen Deol at backward point, and was out for 15 off 24. That wicket concluded her miserable run on the tour as her highest score in five innings in the series.

England’s troubles deepened with Vastrakar’s next ball. This time Vastrakar sent down a straight ball, angled in at the off stump. Nat Sciver-Brunt missed it altogether and it cannoned into her off stump to leave Vastrakar on a hat-trick and England reeling.

Danni Wyatt came in to face the hat-trick delivery but drove the ball for a commanding boundary to deny Vastrakar three in three. She picked up her third wicket later in the morning session when Heather Knight edged behind to leave England 68-4.

Watch: Pooja Vastrakar takes two in two below

Sophia Dunkley wicket

Nat Sciver-Brunt wicket

Subscribe to the Wisden Cricket YouTube channel for post-match analysis, player interviews, and much more.