The 27-year-old star Australia Women’s National Cricket Team all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner stunned the cricket world with her fielding effort during the third and final ODI of the ongoing Ashes series against England Women’s National Cricket Team.
Ashleigh Gardner took an absolute screamer near the boundary ropes to dismiss the 25-year-old England Women’s National Cricket Team player Sophie Ecclestone at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart on Friday, January 17.
Ashleigh Gardner smashes maiden hundred and takes outrageous catch
Gardner brought out her best in the third ODI against the English team and showcased a batting masterclass in the first innings. The top-order batters of the Aussie team failed to get going, and they were struggling at 59/4.
That was when Gardner joined forces with Beth Mooney and bailed the team out of trouble with their 95-run partnership.
Mooney was back in the hut after hitting a fifty, but Gardner extended her stay in the middle and was involved in a 103-run partnership with Tahlia McGrath.
Also, the 27-year-old completed her century off 100 balls and it was her first ever century in international cricket. She was eventually dismissed for 102 by Lauren Bell.
Gardner wasn’t satisfied with her contribution with the bat and wanted to contribute more in the second innings. She wasn’t able to pick any wickets with the ball but bagged a crazy catch near the boundary line to stun the cricket world.
On the 3rd ball of the 41st over, spinner Alana King bowled a full ball to Sophie Ecclestone, who tried to smash it for a six.
However, Gardner denied her the boundary as she leaped, grabbed the ball with one hand, and after losing balance, she, threw the ball in the air as she went past the boundary. Then, Gardner jumped back and completed an absolutely sensational catch diving forward.
Watch: Ashleigh Gardner takes a sensational catch
Outrageous stuff from Ashleigh Gardner! That’s an all-timer #Ashes #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/uVl7zsLR8p
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 17, 2025
I clearly misjudged that – Ashleigh Gardner
Gardner bagged the Player of the Match award for her heroics in the match as she played a key role in Australia Women winning the match by 86 runs and clinching the series 3-0.
Speaking after the match, the Aussie allrounder said that she had been looking to register an international ton for a very long time.
“Something I have been searching for. Getting a hundred for my country. Some emotions when I got to that. I was able to sit back and appreciate and let it sink it. Different people stood up at different points, Kingy took a five-for. I haven’t scored too many centuries in my life,” Gardner said.
“To do it for my country, to share the partnership with Moons and TMac, I am sure she will take confidence from that innings. Emotional but one tick off. “
While talking about her stupendous catch, Gardner said that she initially misjudged the catch, but somehow managed to grab it in the end. He stated:
“[On her catch] I clearly misjudged that because I took that one-handed. But then managed to throw it back in, you don’t practice it in heaps, luckily instincts took over.”