Australian all-rounder Ash Gardner produced a stunning cameo as the Aussies thumped New Zealand by 141 runs at the women’s World Cup today.
Gardner, who had just come out of COVID-19 isolation, finished with an unbeaten 48 off 18 balls to hand the Australians an impressive first innings score of 8-269.
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The 24-year-old went at a strike rate of 266.66, the highest ever in women’s ODI for a score above 30 runs.
Australian men’s short-form skipper Aaron Finch took to social media to heap praise on Gardner.
“Unbelievable striking! One of the best swings of the bat in world cricket!” Finch tweeted.
https://twitter.com/AaronFinch5/status/1502817330136424454
Australia’s big first innings score was also courtesy of Ellyse Perry’s 68 off 86 and Tahlia McGrath’s 57 of 56 deliveries.
“Ash right at the end there with some amazing fireworks, it was awesome and a great way to finish the innings because it got a little bit slow,” Perry said after the match.
“I thought it was a really good wicket. New Zealand bowled particularly well at the start and even through the middle.
“There was some tough patches, but it was nice to finish with the momentum.”
Perry was named player of the match, in which she also grabbed the big wicket of star batter Sophie Devine during New Zealand’s run chase.
The Kiwis’ run chase fell well short with a total of just 128.
Teenager Darcie Brown finished with figures of 3-22, dismissing Suzie Bates, Amelia Kerr and Frances Mackay.
“Darcie (Brown) bowled amazingly well, getting those wickets up front was crucial today,” Perry said of the bowling.
“We know how dangerous some of the Kiwi top order is.
“The way we bowled as a group, everyone took wickets, it was absolutely brilliant, particularly on a good batting deck.”
Australia remains unbeaten through three games at the World Cup.
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