Australia women’s national cricket team star Ashleigh Gardner, 27, stunned the cricket world with her effort on the field during the third and final ODI of the ongoing Ashes series against the England women’s national cricket team.
Ashleigh Gardner let out an absolute scream near the boundary ropes to see off 25-year-old England women’s national cricket team player Sophie Ecclestone at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart on Friday 17 January.
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Ashleigh Gardner crushes the maiden hundred and makes a scandalous catch
Gardner brought out his best in the third ODI against the English team and showed a batting masterclass in the first innings. The Australian team’s top order batsmen failed to get going and were struggling at 59/4.
It was then that Gardner joined forces with Beth Mooney and got the team out of trouble with their 95-run partnership.
Mooney was back in the hut after reaching fifty, but Gardner extended his stay in the middle and was involved in a 103-run partnership with Tahlia McGrath.
Furthermore, the 27-year-old completed her century off 100 balls and it was her first century in international cricket. Finally, Lauren Bell dismissed her for 102.
Gardner was not satisfied with her contribution with the bat and wanted to contribute more in the second innings. He couldn’t pick any wicket with the ball but pulled off a crazy catch near the boundary line to shock the cricket world.
On the third ball of the 41st over, spinner Alana King bowled a full ball to Sophie Ecclestone, who attempted to smash it for a six.
However, he was denied the boundary by Gardner as he jumped, grabbed the ball with one hand and, after losing his balance, threw the ball into the air as he passed the boundary. Gardner then jumped back and completed an absolutely sensational catch by lunging forward.
Watch: Ashleigh Gardner makes sensational catch
Scandalous Ashleigh Gardner stuff! That’s all the time #Ashes #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/uVl7zsLR8p
– cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 17, 2025
I Clearly Misjudged – Ashleigh Gardner
Gardner took home the Player of the Match award for her heroics in the match as she played a key role for Australia Women, winning the match by 86 runs and securing the series 3-0.
After the match, the Australian all-rounder said she had been looking to register an international ton for a long time.
“Something I’ve been looking for. Getting a hundred for my country. Some emotions when I got to that. I was able to sit back and appreciate it and let it sink in. Different people got up at different points, Kingy took five – because I haven’t scored many centuries in my life,” Gardner said.
“To do it for my country, to share the partnership with Moons and TMac, I’m sure she’ll take confidence from those innings. Emotional, but a tic.”
While talking about his stupendous catch, Gardner said he initially misjudged the catch, but somehow managed to catch it in the end. He stated:
“[On her catch] I clearly misjudged it because I took it with one hand. But then I managed to return it, you don’t practice it a lot, luckily instincts took over.”
