Gardner’s Record Century Sparks Joy: AUS-W vs NZ-W, Women’s World Cup 2025

  • October 1, 2025

Australia’s prominent all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner inscribed her presence within cricket’s chronicle due to a remarkable century versus New Zealand throughout the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025. Arriving at No. 6 as her team was struggling with a score of 128/5, Gardner executed one of the most exceptional counter-offensive innings the tournament has ever seen. Australia achieved a score of 326 across 49.3 overs versus New Zealand held at Holkar Stadium located in Indore on Wednesday, October 1.

Ashleigh Gardner’s record-breaking hundred for Australia against New Zealand in Women’s World Cup 2025

Gardner posted 115 from only 83 deliveries, hence becoming the initial cricketer within Women’s World Cup history to attain a century while batting at No. 6 or below. Her innings not just saved Australia yet additionally pushed them towards a solid total, transforming the match’s direction entirely.

Gardner’s innings reflected a demonstration concerning composure alongside regulated aggression under duress. Upon entering to bat during the 22nd over, the scenario seemed dire for the seven-time champions, who had shed five wickets within rapid succession. However, Gardner portrayed exceptional maturity, absorbing the pressure whilst sustaining a brisk scoring tempo. She achieved her century from merely 77 deliveries by driving Sophie Devine across the covers to secure four runs in the 46th over, establishing herself as the third-quickest centurion within Women’s World Cup history.

The achievement additionally distinguished her as the singular batter to register a century from No. 6 or beneath within the tournament’s prolonged history, surpassing Alex Blackwell’s 90 back in 2017. Gardner’s capability to locate gaps utilizing crisp timing, integrating boundaries alongside strike rotation, also maintaining her composure despite the collapse encompassing her rendered this specific knock truthfully historic. By the moment she was removed by Bree Illing within the 47th over, Gardner had struck 16 boundaries plus a six, ensuring her innings would be remembered as a defining moment within World Cup cricket.

Also WATCH: Women’s World Cup: Amelia Kerr’s googly rattles Phoebe Litchfield’s stumps in AUS-W vs NZ-W game

CWC 2025: Gardner’s crucial Partnerships that lifted Australia from crisis to command

Of similar importance toward Gardner’s century were the collaborations she formed en route, which pulled Australia from a challenging position toward a setting involving command. To begin, she contributed 64 pivotal runs alongside Tahlia McGrath, stabilizing the structure during which New Zealand maintained firm authority. Subsequently appeared a spirited 47-run association alongside Sophie Molineux, which discouraged the White Ferns’ bowlers whilst granting Australia some room to breathe.

Nonetheless, it involved the 69-run collaboration alongside Kim Garth that genuinely reversed the innings. This specific stance evolved into the second-highest 8th wicket or reduced partnership intended for Australia within Women’s World Cup history, merely trailing behind Blackwell and Beams’ 76-run 10th wicket stance occurring in 2017. Gardner orchestrated the lower order efficiently, guiding her partners whilst handling the scoring liability. Every instance that New Zealand detected a potential breakthrough, Gardner countered aggressively using boundaries which deflated their spirits. Upon the moment she diminished, Australia had surged beyond 300, a score unimaginable at 128/5. These collaborations emphasized Gardner’s capability not simply being a power-hitter though additionally being a leader amidst crisis, orchestrating Australia’s fightback utilizing skill along with resilience.

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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

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