In a stunning display of power-hitting and composure, Ashleigh Gardner smashed a 77-ball century to propel Australia to a formidable 326/9 against New Zealand in their ICC Women’s Championship clash. The match, held at Basin Reserve in Wellington, saw Australia recover from a precarious 128/5 to post a daunting total that leaves New Zealand with a mountain to climb.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Runs | 103 |
| Balls Faced | 77 |
| Fours | 8 |
| Sixes | 5 |
| Strike Rate | 133.76 |
After losing five wickets for just 128 runs, Australia looked in trouble. But Gardner’s partnership with Tahlia McGrath (42 off 38) added 97 crucial runs, shifting momentum decisively. Her aggressive assault on New Zealand’s spinners in the middle overs—and clean striking against pace in the death—left the White Ferns scrambling.
| Wicket | Score | Overs |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 22 | 5.2 |
| 3 | 67 | 14.1 |
| 5 | 128 | 25.3 |
| Final | 326/9 | 50.0 |
“Gardner didn’t just score runs—she dismantled New Zealand’s game plan,” said former Australia captain Lisa Sthalekar on ABC Sport. “Her ability to rotate strike and then explode in the 40th over changed everything.”
If New Zealand fails to chase 327, they’ll fall further behind in the ICC Women’s Championship standings, jeopardizing direct qualification for the 2025 World Cup. Australia, meanwhile, strengthens its grip on the No. 1 ranking.
With Washington Sundar and Tilak Varma facing fitness doubts, Team India is scrambling for a…
With their third SA20 title in four years—including a dramatic last-over heist against Pretoria Capitals—Sunrisers…
In a dramatic SA20 final at Newlands, Sunrisers Eastern Cape claimed their third consecutive title…
In a breathtaking display of power-hitting, Abhishek Sharma smashed the second-fastest T20I half-century by an…
In a dramatic but definitive turn, the Bangladesh Cricket Board has officially withdrawn from the…
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has laid down strict conditions for Shakib Al Hasan’s potential return…