Women's WC: Ashleigh Gardner scripts these records with 77-ball hundred
What's the story
Australian cricketer Ashleigh Gardner has etched her name in the record books by becoming the first player to score a century after batting at No. 6 or lower in an ICC Women's ODI World Cup match. The historic feat came during Australia's second match of the ongoing ICC Women's ODI World Cup 2025 against New Zealand in Indore on Wednesday.
Match impact
Gardner's record-breaking century
Gardner, who came out to bat at No. 6, reached her century in just 77 balls. She achieved the milestone by hitting a four off New Zealand captain Sophie Devine on the first ball of the 46th over. In her innings of 115 runs off 83 balls, including 16 fours and a six, Gardner played a crucial role in taking Australia from a precarious position of 128/5 in 21.2 overs to a formidable total of 326/10 in their allotted overs.
Team effort
Valuable partnerships for Gardner
During her innings, Gardner shared valuable partnerships with her teammates. She added 64 runs for the sixth wicket with Tahlia McGrath (26), 47 runs for the seventh wicket with Sophie Molineux (14), and a whopping 69 runs for the eighth wicket with Kim Garth (38). This last partnership is now the second-highest for Australia Women at this stage in ODI World Cups.
Dismissal details
A historic knock from Gardner
Gardner's impressive innings finally came to an end when she was dismissed by Bree Illing on the third ball of the 47th over. Isabella Gaze took her catch, ending a historic knock that not only helped Australia post a strong total but also made Gardner the first cricketer to score a century after batting at No. 6 or lower in a Women's ODI World Cup match. Meanwhile, NZ lost by 89 runs after a lone effort from centurion Sophie Devine.
Information
Third-fastest ton in Women's WCs
As mentioned, Gardner completed her century off just 77 deliveries, making it the third-fastest in the tournament's history and the fastest by an Aussie batter. She is only behind Deandra Dottin (71 balls vs Pakistan, 2017) and England's Nat Sciver-Brunt (76 balls vs Pakistan, 2017).
DYK
Twin hundreds at six or lower
The 115 by Gardner is now the highest-individual WODI score while batting at six or lower. Notably, this was Gardner's second WODI hundred while operating at number six. Her other ton was a 102 against England in Hobart earlier this year. No other batter has multiple hundreds in these positions. WI's Shemaine Campbelle and South Africa's Annerie Dercksen are the only other batters with centuries in this regard.
Stats
A look at her WODI stats
As mentioned, Gardner raced to her second century in WODIs. She also has seven half-centuries to her name. The 28-year-old now has 1,441 runs from 81 WODIs at an average of 30.65. Her tally includes a strike rate of 109.08. Gardner, who bowls off-spin, also has 104 wickets with an average of 22.51. She also owns a fifer.