Browsing: Gardner

England lost their first match of the Women’s World Cup as they suffered a six-wicket defeat by the formidable defending champions Australia in Indore.

Australia suffered a top-order wobble, falling to 24-3 and 68-4, only for a flawless partnership of 180 between Annabel Sutherland and Ash Gardner to lead them to victory with 9.3 overs to spare.

Sutherland, who also took three wickets in England’s 244-9, finished with 98 and Gardner made a sensational 104 from 73 balls as Australia’s astonishing batting depth came to the fore again.

England had their moments, notably the positive start from openers Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones as they punished an uncharacteristically sloppy start from the Australian bowlers, adding 55 in eight overs.

But Jones’ dismissal, bowled by a Sutherland beauty, put the brakes on.

Beaumont found much-needed form as she top scored with 78 but the middle order came to a standstill that was instigated by leg-spinner Alana King, who took 1-20 in 10 overs.

England’s middle-order glue in Heather Knight and Nat Sciver-Brunt only managed 20 and seven respectively, Sophia Dunkley stuttered to 22 from 48 balls and Emma Lamb’s struggles at six continued with another single-figure score.

Charlie Dean again rescued England somewhat with the bat, adding a valuable stand of 61 from 52 balls with Alice Capsey, who made an entertaining 38, but Australia’s superstar all-rounders proved that the total was still significantly below par when faced with such a stellar batting line-up.

The pair started cautiously in rebuilding the innings before racing through the gears to punish an England bowling attack that had no answers, neither offering a chance in a masterclass of one-day batting.

There was not much on the line, given the fact that both teams had already qualified for the semi-finals, but it was another reminder to the rest of the world about what will be required to dethrone the juggernaut.

Source link

Ashleigh Gardner played a match-winning innings, scoring an unbeaten century, as the defending champions thrashed New Zealand by 89 runs (PTI Photo) Australiaâ€s seasoned all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner played a match-winning innings, scoring an unbeaten century, as the defending champions thrashed New Zealand by 89 runs in their ICC Womenâ€s World Cup opener on Wednesday. Gardnerâ€s 115-run knock came off just 77 balls and marked her second ODI century, rescuing Australia from a middle-order wobble and helping them post a formidable 326 all out in 49.3 overs after electing to bat first.The Australian bowling attack, led by Annabel Sutherland (3/26) and supported by the spin duo of Alana King (2/44) and Sophie Molineux (3/25), then restricted New Zealand to 237 in 43.2 overs, securing a comprehensive win.New Zealand captain Sophie Devine fought valiantly, scoring 111 off 112 balls, featuring 12 fours and three sixes, but the chase of 327 proved beyond the White Ferns. The visitors suffered an early collapse, losing two wickets without scoring in the first 1.3 overs, including a run-out mix-up between Georgia Plimmer and Suzie Bates.Despite some resistance from Devine and Brooke Halliday (28), who added 52 for the fourth wicket, New Zealand struggled to keep pace with the required run rate. By the 35th over, they were 164/5, needing over 10 runs per over. Devineâ€s partnership with Isabella Gaze offered glimpses of hope, but the effort fell short as Devine was dismissed in the 43rd over.Australiaâ€s innings had begun brightly, with Alyssa Healy (19) and Phoebe Litchfield (45) providing a brisk start, though early wickets brought the team to 113/4 by the 19th over. Gardner then took control, building crucial partnerships of 64 with Tahlia McGrath (26) and 69 with Kim Garth (38), steering Australia to a strong total.From 252/7 after 40 overs, Australia added 74 more runs, eventually being bowled out in the 50th over. Jess Kerr claimed three late wickets for New Zealand, but the target had long been out of reach.Gardnerâ€s commanding innings and a disciplined bowling performance ensured Australia began their World Cup title defense in emphatic fashion, sending a strong message to the competition.

Source link

Sep 11, 2025, 06:54 PM ETNearly six months after the death of Miller Gardner, the 14-year-old son of former New…