WATCH: Ashleigh Gardner grabs incredible try to dismiss Sophie Ecclestone in 3rd ODI – AUS-W vs ENG-W
Australia women emerged victorious in the third ODI against England Womenclosing out a comprehensive 3-0 series victory. The match, played in a packed hall, was highlighted by a sensational goal Ashleigh Gardnerwhose brilliant century is followed by an incredible catch to dismiss Sophie Ecclestone became a topic of conversation in the cricket world.
Ashleigh Gardner’s stunning catch draws attention
The moment of the match happened in the 41st over of the English innings when Alana King bowled to Ecclestone. The English batsman tried to hit, which resulted in a high top edge that flew towards deep mid-wicket. Gardner, positioned a few paces inside the boundary, initially misjudged the trajectory, but quickly recovered.
What followed was pure athletic brilliance as Gardner displayed her exceptional skills on the court. She initially juggled the ball on her first try, but quickly realized she was going over the line. Acting quickly, she put the ball back in play to avoid taking a six. In a remarkable display of agility and composure, she proceeded to dive full length forward to complete a stunning catch that left fans and commentators in awe. This gymnastic feat not only resulted in Ecclestone’s dismissal, but also highlighted Gardner’s extraordinary prowess on the field.
Here is the video:
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
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Australia’s batting force sets the stage
The Australian women set the stage with an incredible batting performance after opting to bat first, posting an impressive total of 308/8. Gardner led the charge with a brilliant century, scoring 102 runs with powerful and accurate shots. She had good support Tahlia McGrathwho contributed a steady 55 runs in the middle order, and Beth Mooneywho set the tone at the top with a solid 50.
England’s pursuit falters in the face of Alana King’s magic
In reply, England struggled in the hunt for a steep target. Despite the valiant efforts of Nat Sciver-Brunt (61) i Tammy Beaumont (54), their innings fell apart, managing just 222 runs in 42.2 overs. Alana was the best bowler for Australia, scoring a match-winning performance with figures of 5 wickets for 46 runs in 8.2 overs. Her ability to generate strokes and fool the batsmen with variations proved too much of a challenge for England, sealing a comprehensive victory for Australia.
Also READ: Women’s Ashes 2025: Ash Gardner, Alana King shine in Australia’s dominant win over England in 3rd ODI
This article was first published on WomenCricket.comand Cricket times company.
