Opening day of World Test Championship final in Southampton
India v New Zealand World Test Championship final
Matthew Henry
BBC Sport at the Hampshire Bowl
The rain has yet to return in Southampton. The crowd is getting a little excited by the sight of players emerging on their balconies and walking around the boundary edge.
There's still a long way to go, and a lot of drying up to be done, before we see any cricket today.
Meanwhile, let's see what's happening over in Southampton at the World Test Championship final. Last we heard, it was absolutely pouring it down.
What does our man Matt Henry have to say?
Sophie Ecclestone struck for England with her first ball of the morning...
And then again in her second over, with India having lost seven wickets for 20 runs...
Cheers, Stephan. I share your concern on this being a prolonged lunch break.
Another session for England in this Test. They're smashing it.
Time to reflect on the morning's play.
Right, I feel like I've been here for some time.
Here's Kal Sajad...
My concern for Bristol is whether or not we get back out after the break.
Remember, there's been no play in the WTC final at Southampton.
Ind 29-1
That's lunch, too.
What a morning for England. Six wickets across two innings.
They really could win this today.
Daniel Norcross
BBC Test Match Special
It was a loose shot from Mandhana off a very full delivery. She has a rueful look on her face as she walks off towards the pavilion. That could be a crucial breakthrough for England.
Mandhana c Sciver b Brunt 8 (Ind 29-1)
The breakthrough!
Big wicket for England, separating this India opening pair.
It's loose from Smriti Mandhana, who had no business following a winde one from from Katherine Brunt. Nat Sciver does the rest at second slip.
England up and running.
Isabelle Westbury
Ex-Middlesex captain on BBC Test Match Special
To play with this power, this timing, this confidence, when the rest of your team has just collapsed in a heap is unbelievable. I don't think the rest of India's innings has even crossed Verma's mind in this tricky period before lunch.
Trail by 136
I wonder if the England players are having a little word with Verma here? Not that it matters, as she turns Shrubsole to square leg for yet another boundary. That's 20 off 14 balls. One more over before lunch?
Daniel Norcross
BBC Test Match Special
I know we keep saying it but I am running out of superlatives to describe the beauty of this prodigy. The timing is supernatural. It's like her bat is spring-loaded.
Image source, Getty ImagesTrail by 140
Verma is at it again. This time reaching to drive Shrubsole through the covers. She's already got 16 from 10 balls.
Daniel Norcross
BBC Test Match Special
Verma is just a wonder to watch, isn't she? Her placement is perfect yet again. It is as perfect a shot as you will ever see, actually.
Trail by 145
I honestly think Shafali Verma is the most exciting young cricketer in the world at the moment. This drive off Brunt, past mid-off for four, is the sort you could paint and hang in a gallery. She follows that up with a push past cover for four more. It's like she's got bullets loaded in her bat.
#bbccricket
Image source, Getty ImagesErling: What a morning from Sophie! Today she is showing everyone that she is the best bowler in the world.
Trail by 154
Remember, this pair added 167 in the first innings. The other nine wickets mustered 64. Mandhana, dark hair poking from the back of her helmet, clips Shrubsole off her toes for a couple. It looks like the rain is getting heavier.
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Following-on, trail by 156
Right then, eyes down for round two of Brunt v Verma. After Mandhana punches through the covers for four, Verma tucks off her pads to the mid-wicket fence with timing that would make a metronome jealous.
India v New Zealand World Test Championship final
Matthew Henry
BBC Sport at the Hampshire Bowl
It may have stopped raining over in Southampton but it will take hours and hours to dry this outfield. More rain is in the forecast too.