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Australia Women emerged victorious in the third ODI against England Women, wrapping up a comprehensive 3-0 series win. The match, played at a packed venue, was highlighted by a sensational effort from Ashleigh Gardner, whose brilliant century followed by an incredible catch to dismiss Sophie Ecclestone became the talk of the cricketing world.
Ashleigh Gardner’s stunning catch steals the show
The moment of the match came in the 41st over of England’s innings when Alana King bowled to Ecclestone. The English batter attempted a slog sweep, resulting in a towering top edge that flew towards deep mid-wicket. Gardner, positioned a few steps inside the boundary, initially misjudged the trajectory but quickly recovered.
What followed was sheer athletic brilliance as Gardner showcased her exceptional skills on the field. She initially juggled the ball on the first attempt but quickly realized she was about to step over the boundary. Acting swiftly, she hurled the ball back into play to avoid conceding a six. In a remarkable display of agility and presence of mind, she followed it up with a full-length forward dive to complete a stunning catch that left fans and commentators in awe. This gymnastic feat not only resulted in the dismissal of Ecclestone but also highlighted Gardner’s extraordinary fielding prowess.
Here is the video:
Outrageous stuff from Ashleigh Gardner! That's an all-timer #Ashes #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/uVl7zsLR8p
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 17, 2025
Also WATCH: Phoebe Litchfield takes an unbelievable catch to dismiss Danni Wyatt-Hodge | Women’s Ashes 2025, AUS vs ENG 3rd ODI
Australia’s batting powerhouse sets the stage
Australia Women set the stage with a commanding batting performance after opting to bat first, posting an imposing total of 308/8. Gardner led the charge with a brilliant century, scoring 102 runs with powerful and precise strokes. She was well-supported by Tahlia McGrath, who contributed a steady 55 runs in the middle order, and Beth Mooney, who set the tone at the top with a solid 50.
England’s chase falters against Alana King’s magic
In response, England Women struggled to chase the steep target. Despite valiant efforts from Nat Sciver-Brunt (61) and Tammy Beaumont (54), their innings fell apart, managing only 222 runs in 42.2 overs. Alana was the standout bowler for Australia, delivering a match-winning performance with figures of 5 wickets for 46 runs in 8.2 overs. Her ability to generate turn and deceive the batters with variations proved too challenging for England, sealing a comprehensive victory for Australia.
