In the third ODI of the Women's Ashes series held in Hobart, Australia notched up a formidable total of 308 for 8, significantly bolstered by Ashleigh Gardner’s historic maiden international century. Gardner's performance was pivotal as she entered the crease when Australia was in a precarious position at 59 for 4. Demonstrating excellent composure and skill, she displayed a well-paced innings that ultimately transformed the trajectory of the match.
Gardner's century, which came off 100 balls, was a notable achievement as it became only the second ODI century recorded by a player batting at No. 6 or lower. She built crucial partnerships, first adding 95 runs alongside Beth Mooney, followed by an impressive 103 runs in collaboration with Tahlia McGrath. McGrath, who achieved a rapid half-century in just 38 deliveries, played a crucial role in stabilizing the innings and helping Australia recover from a challenging position.
Mooney’s contribution of 50 runs was also significant, highlighting her ability to anchor the innings. These partnerships proved to be essential, particularly given the pressure Australia faced after losing four wickets early in the match. The final ten overs yielded 104 runs, showcasing Australia's batting depth. Notably, Georgia Wareham's explosive performance at the end, where she struck a series of boundaries, helped push the team’s total past the 300-run mark, marking the highest women's ODI score recorded at the venue.
The match commenced with an energetic start as England utilized the Decision Review System (DRS) thrice within the first four overs. Although England had initially burned two reviews, they correctly identified a catch off Phoebe Litchfield’s bat, leading to her dismissal after a positive beginning. England's mistakes with regard to reviews included attempts to overturn decisions against Alyssa Healy and Ellyse Perry, neither of which was successful as the ball did not appear to have impacted the bat.
Healy was unable to establish her tempo and fell victim to Sciver-Brunt shortly before the powerplay ended. Her dismissal, coupled with Annabel Sutherland's quick exit after attempting a drive to mid-off, left Australia in a precarious position early in the innings. The situation was alarming at 59 for 4, a scenario that typically would daunt most teams. However, Australia's strong ethos reflecting their resilience came into play.
Gardner responded decisively, showcasing her dominance by lofting Sophie Ecclestone for a six and quickly followed it with aggressive strokes against Charlie Dean. Both Gardner and Mooney reached their respective half-centuries, with Gardner achieving her milestone in 53 balls and Mooney in 63. While Mooney fell soon after, offering a chance for England to recover, the combined efforts of Gardner and McGrath staved off any ambush, propelling Australia to a commanding position.
Eventually, England managed to dismiss both Gardner and McGrath within a short span, but by then, the Australian total was significantly bolstered. The visitors were left with the daunting task of chasing down over 300 runs, an uphill battle against one of the strongest batting line-ups in women's cricket.
This match reinforced the depth and talent within the Australian squad, especially given the pressure moments they faced early in their innings. Gardner’s rise as a key player in the Australian lineup signifies her importance not only as a batsman but also as a stabilizing force under critical conditions. With a possible lead of 6-0 in the Ashes series now within sight, Australia looks poised to extend its dominance further.
As the series unfolds, the performance exhibited in this match serves as a reminder of the intricacies of women's cricket and the fierce competition between Australia and England. Each player’s contribution is vital, and the ongoing matches will undoubtedly continue to showcase the potential and prowess of both teams as they vie for supremacy in this historic contest.