Hobart [Australia], January 17: A brilliant century from all-rounder Ash Gardner led Australia to an 86-run victory over England in the third and final ODI, completing a 3-0 clean sweep in the Women’s Ashes series, ICC Cricket reported. With three T20Is and a one-off Test remaining, Australia is now just one win away from retaining the Ashes, having already secured a 6-0 lead in the series.
Gardner was the standout performer in Hobart, marking her maiden ODI century with a sensational 102 off 102 balls, including eight fours and a six. She also took a stunning catch in the field, capping off a remarkable all-round display. Alana King contributed with a match-winning five-wicket haul to help Australia seal a memorable win at Bellerive Oval.
Australia’s innings started slowly, with England’s bowlers reducing them to 46/3 within the first 10 overs, as Phoebe Litchfield (15), Ellyse Perry (2), and Alyssa Healy (15) were dismissed early. Annabel Sutherland (10) followed soon after, leaving Australia at 59/4. However, Gardner joined Beth Mooney at the crease and the pair built a strong partnership, pushing the score to 115/4 by the halfway mark. During their stand, Mooney reached a significant milestone, becoming only the fifth Australian woman to score 6,000 international runs.
Mooney fell for 50 off 64 balls, but Gardner continued her assault, eventually bringing up her century. She was dismissed for 102, leaving Georgia Wareham to finish the innings with a flurry of boundaries. Australia posted a competitive total of 308/8, with Wareham remaining unbeaten on 38 from just 12 balls, including five fours and two sixes.
In reply, England struggled to build a strong partnership, despite efforts from Tammy Beaumont (54 off 77 balls) and Nat Sciver-Brunt (61 off 68 balls). After a solid start at 118/2, Australia turned the tide with Wareham (2/27) taking key middle-order wickets to dismiss Beaumont and Sciver-Brunt. Amy Jones (30) and Danni Wyatt-Hodge (35) kept England’s hopes alive with a 49-run stand, but the chase was always out of reach.
Alana King finished off the lower order with figures of 5/46, including a brilliant catch by Gardner at deep midwicket, sealing the win for Australia. Gardner’s all-round performance makes her a strong contender for Player of the Series, as Australia looks to defend the Ashes.
The two teams will next meet on Monday at the Sydney Cricket Ground for the first of three T20 Internationals. England will need to win all three T20Is and the series-concluding Test match to end their 11-year Ashes drought.