Ashleigh Gardner’s Performance Guides Australia to Ashes Test Victory

Australia’s dominant women cricket team emerged victorious in the sole Ashes Test against England at Trent Bridge, thanks to an outstanding performance by Ashleigh Gardner. Gardner’s incredible bowling display saw her claim 12 wickets in the match, including a remarkable eight wickets in England’s second innings, leading Australia to an 89-run win.

On the final day, England began at 5-116, chasing a challenging target of 268, which would have been the largest chase in women’s Test history. However, Gardner’s brilliant bowling demolished the English batting lineup, and they were all out for 178. Danni Wyatt top-scored with 56 but lacked support from her teammates.

Gardner’s match figures of 12-165 from 45.2 overs not only established the best bowling figures by an Australian woman in Test history but also stood as the second-best overall. This Test victory marked Australia’s first win in the format since 2015.

The Ashes series will be determined through a points-based system that includes Tests, ODIs, and T20s. With their 4-0 lead resulting from the Test win, the Aussies are well on their way to retaining the Ashes, having previously won 12-4. Winning a limited overs match earns two points in this multi-format series.

Gardner’s exceptional performance propelled Australia to an 89-run victory in the Ashes Test against England at Trent Bridge. Her figures of 8-66 in the fourth innings sealed the sole Test, as England fell short of their target of 268, being bowled out for 178.

Gardner’s match tally of 12 wickets established a new record for an Australian woman and ranks second overall, only behind Pakistan’s Shaiza Khan, who took 13 wickets in 2004. Australia now needs to win just two of the six white-ball matches to retain the Ashes in this multi-format series.

Outstanding performance by Ash Gardner. What a win from the Aussies who secure a 4 point lead. #TheAshes https://t.co/Zvq0yoXjcQ

— Rachael Haynes (@RachaelHaynes) June 26, 2023

Reflecting on her extraordinary performance, Gardner expressed her surprise at the achievement and highlighted the importance of having five days for a Test match. She credited the entire bowling unit for their collective effort and acknowledged her luck in getting the wickets.

England had a promising start to the day, reducing the required runs to 127. However, Gardner once again turned the tide in Australia’s favour. She dismissed Kate Cross and Amy Jones before taking the last three wickets, leaving England with little chance of victory.

Gardner’s remarkable contribution in the Test complemented her previous achievements, such as winning the Belinda Clark Award and being named the WBBL’s player of the tournament. This Test match stands as her greatest accomplishment, as she played a crucial role in Australia’s comeback in the first innings and made crucial breakthroughs in the second innings.

Alongside Gardner, other players played vital roles in Australia’s triumph. Ellyse Perry’s 99 on day one set the foundation, while Annabel Sutherland’s unbeaten 137 at No.8 ensured a formidable first-innings total. Alyssa Healy’s resilient half-century, despite playing with two fractured fingers, provided Australia with a target to defend after a mid-innings collapse.

This Test result ended a streak of six consecutive draws in women’s Tests and marked the first match since 1992 to be played over five days.

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