Ash Gardner rescues Australia in historic women's Ashes scenes after brutal drama in third ODI

Gardner and Tahlia McGrath's partnership changed the game for Australia.

Ash Gardner's stunning maiden century has helped Australia recover from a shocking start to claim an 86-run victory over England in the third ODI of their women's Ashes series. The Aussies were reeling at 4-59 at one stage as England looked in a strong position to snap a two-game losing streak but Gardner (102) and Tahlia McGrath (55) put on a superb partnership after an earlier 50 to Beth Mooney helped them reach a formidable 8-308. It was a special slice of history for Gardner, who becomes the first Indigenous woman to hit a ton for Australia. Alana King's five-wicket haul helped the hosts seal the big win.

The Aussies won the first ODI in Sydney by four wickets and the second by 21 runs after defending a meagre 180 at Melbourne's Junction Oval. But their hopes of making it three straight victories initially appeared to be in jeopardy after winning the toss and choosing to bat, with Phoebe Litchfield (15), captain Alyssa Healy (15) and Ellyse Perry (2) all felling cheaply.

Pictured left is Ash Gardner celebrating a maiden century for Australia in the third ODI against England.
Ash Gardner's maiden century for Australia came after a worrying start against England in the third ODI in Hobart. Pic: Getty

Gardner came to the crease and immediately went about batting the Aussies back into the contest as she shared in a 95-run partnership with Mooney that swung the contest back in the home side's favour. England Charlie Dean grabbed the crucial breakthrough when she tempted Mooney into a big shot over the off-side field but the ball skied up for Nat Sciver-Brunt to race around to cover and take the catch to remove the Aussie for a well-made 50.

The wicket saw McGrath join star all-rounder Gardner at the crease and the pair put on more than 100 runs for the hosts, with Gardner bringing up a stunning run-a-ball century. Gardner belted eight boundaries and a six to race onto 102 off as many balls before she was finally dismissed in the 46th over after England's Tammy Beaumont took a sensational diving catch in the outfield.

Seen here, Ash Gardner batting against England.
Ash Gardner's maiden century for Australia dug the hosts out of a hole in the third ODI against England. Pic: Getty

McGrath was the next to go for the Aussies after being dismissed LBW by Sciver-Brunt in the following over after a well-made half century. Georgia Wareham's late unbeaten cameo of 38 off just 12 balls helped lift the Aussies past the 300-run mark as England were left to lament an extraordinary innings from Gardner that took the match away from them.

England's run chase got off to the worst possible start with Maia Boucher sent packing for a duck in the opening over after being caught by McGrath at cover off the bowling of Megan Schutt. England skipper Heather Knight then went for 14 after edging one from Schutt that Healy caught comfortaby behind the stumps.

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The tourists looked to be getting a foothold back into the contest as Beaumont (54) and Sciver-Brunt (61) combined for an important partnership that took England comfortably past 100 runs. But Aussie spinner Georgia Wareham justified her selection ahead of quick Darcie Brown by picking up the wickets of both of England's dangerous batters.

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Wareham clean-bowled Beaumont after enticing the England opener out of her crease and beating her all ends up. She then repeated the trick several overs later to dismiss Sciver-Brunt after deceiving the England batter with a slightly quicker delivery that crashed into the stumps.

Danni Wyatt-Hodge (35) and Amy Jones (30) both made starts but failed to go on with their innings as Alana King claimed both wickets, while Schutt removed Alice Capsey for a duck to leave England in deep trouble. Gardner continued a day to remember with one of the great catches on the boundary rope to remove Sophie Ecclestone off the bowling of King, who also removed Lauren Filer and Charlie Dean to complete the job and claim a five-wicket haul.

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Healy's side now hold a 6-0 lead in the multi-format series, with each of the three ODIs and the following three T20s all worth two points for a win. The series-concluding day-night Test at the MCG is worth four points, with the Aussies taking a stranglehold in the series as they chase a a sixth-straight Ashes series triumph.

with AAP