Ashleigh Gardner’s all-round brilliance led Australia to a dominant victory over England in the 3rd ODI of the Women’s Ashes 2025 at Bellerive Oval, Hobart. Gardner not only smashed her maiden ODI century but also pulled off an incredible boundary catch that left cricket fans in awe.
Gardner’s Maiden ODI Century
- Heroic Performance: Coming to bat at a challenging position (59/4), Gardner anchored Australia’s innings with a sensational 102 off 102 balls.
- Highlights: Her innings included 8 fours and 1 six, showcasing her calm yet powerful approach under pressure.
- Partnerships: Supported by Beth Mooney (50) and Tahlia McGrath (55), Gardner helped Australia post a strong total of 308/8 in 50 overs.
The Outrageous Boundary Catch
- The Moment: During England’s chase, Sophie Ecclestone tried to clear the boundary with a slog-sweep.
- Gardner’s Magic: Positioned at deep midwicket, Gardner initially misjudged the trajectory but redeemed herself with an incredible one-handed leap.
- Realizing she was crossing the boundary, she threw the ball in the air, stepped outside, and dived back to complete the catch.
- Reaction: The crowd erupted, and commentators hailed it as one of the finest boundary catches in women’s cricket history.
Watch the Catch
Catch the moment Ashleigh Gardner stunned the world with her athleticism:
Outrageous stuff from Ashleigh Gardner! That's an all-timer #Ashes #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/uVl7zsLR8p
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 17, 2025
Australia’s Bowling Dominance
| Bowler | Overs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alana King | 8.2 | 5 | 5.50 |
| Megan Schutt | 9 | 3 | 6.30 |
| Georgia Wareham | 5 | 2 | 5.40 |
- England’s Response: Despite Tammy Beaumont’s 54 and Nat Sciver-Brunt’s 61, England was bowled out for 222 in 42.2 overs.
Highlights of the Match
- Result: Australia won by 86 runs and clinched the ODI series 3-0.
- Series Standings: Australia leads the multi-format series 6-0, inching closer to retaining the Ashes.
- Alana King’s Milestone: She registered her maiden five-wicket haul in ODIs (5/46).
Match Summary
| Australia Women | Score | England Women | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Batting | 308/8 (50 overs) | Batting | 222 all out |
| Top Performers | Gardner (102), McGrath (55) | Beaumont (54), Sciver-Brunt (61) |
