Ashleigh Gardner took the biggest catch in the history of women’s cricket during the Ashes clash
The 27-year-old star all-rounder of the Australian Women’s National Cricket Team, Ashleigh Gardner, stunned the cricketing world with her fielding efforts during the third and final ODI of the ongoing Ashes series against the England Women’s National Cricket Team.
Ashleigh Gardner dumped 25-year-old England women’s cricketer Sophie Ecclestone at Bellerive Oval in Hobart on Friday (January 17).
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Ashleigh Gardner smashes her maiden hundred and takes an outrageous catch
Gardner gave her all in the third ODI against the English team and displayed a batting masterclass in the first innings. The top batsmen of the Aussie team failed to get going and struggled at 59/4.
Then Gardner joined forces with Beth Mooney and pulled the team out of trouble with their 95-run partnership.
Mooney returned to the hut after scoring 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 century in international cricket. Lauren Bell eventually dropped her for 102.
Gardner was not satisfied with her contribution with the bat and wanted to contribute more in the second innings. She failed to take any wicket with the ball but took a crazy catch near the boundary line and stunned the cricketing world.
On the 3rd ball of the 41st over, fielder Alana King bowled a full ball to Sophie Ecclestone, who tried to smash it for a six.
However, Gardner denied her a boundary as she jumped, grabbed the ball with one hand, and she, after losing her balance, threw the ball into the air as she crossed the boundary. Then Gardner jumped back and completed the absolutely sensational catch with a leap forward.
Watch: Ashleigh Gardner makes a sensational catch
Outrageous Stuff by Ashleigh Gardner! It’s a timer for all time #Ash #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/uVl7zsLR8p
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 17, 2025
I obviously misjudged that – Ashleigh Gardner
Gardner won 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 winning the series 3–0.
Speaking after the match, the Aussie Allrounder said she wanted to register an international ton for a very long time.
“Something I was looking for. Getting a hundred for my country. Some emotion when I got there. I could sit back and appreciate it and let it sink in. Different people got up in different places, Kingy took a five- because. I didn’t score too many centuries in life,” Gardner said.
“To do it for my country, to share a partnership with Moons and TMac, I’m sure he’ll get confidence from those innings. Emotional, but one tick.”
Speaking about her incredible catch, Gardner said she misjudged the catch at first, but somehow managed to grab it in the end. He stated:
“[On her catch] I obviously misjudged it because I took it with one hand. But then I managed to get it back, you don’t practice a lot, luckily instincts prevailed.”
