Ashleigh Gardner smacks century, takes spellbinding catch as Aussies win Ashes ODI
Gun Australian all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner smacked a century to help rescue the hosts from a perilous position in the third one-day international of the Women's Ashes on Friday.
And she then added to her already-packed highlights reel by taking a spectacular catch on the deep-midwicket boundary as England tried unsuccessfully to hunt down Australia's total of 308.
Gardner was a clear player of the match as Australia thumped England by 86 runs at Hobart's Bellerive Oval to take a 6-0 lead in the multi-format series, which is now set for three T20s.
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She arrived in the middle with the Australians 4-59 in the 15th over, but proceeded to pump 102 runs from 102 balls in an innings that featured eight fours and a six.
When Gardner's innings was ended by a brilliant diving catch by Tammy Beaumont at deep square leg in the 46th over, the centurion walked off to a standing ovation from an appreciative crowd.
Ashleigh Gardner raises her bat after striking a century against England. Getty
She helped lift Australia from 4-59 to 6-257, before No.8 Georgia Wareham lit up the venue with 38 from 12 as the home side climbed to 8-308 from its 50 overs.
Gardner, who struck her first international ton despite coming in at No.6, had support through Beth Mooney (50 from 64) and Tahlia McGrath (55 from 45).
Then in the 41st over of England's chase, any hope of the visitors pulling off an improbable victory was all but dashed when Gardner produced a piece of outfield magic.
With her right arm at full stretch she plucked the ball from the air one-handed, then tossed it up as she stumbled over the boundary, staggered back over the rope, and completed the catch.
Ashleigh Gardner in the process of taking a phenomenal boundary catch. Getty
She was asked on the Fox Cricket broadcast after play if she thought her innings or catch was more "deadly".
"It's close, but I would have to say the innings; it was slightly more special," she said.
England was bowled out for 222 in the 43rd over of its innings.
Leg-spinner Alana King took 5-46 and pace bowler Megan Schutt bagged 3-57.
Australia and England will face off in the first of three T20s at the SCG on Monday.
