Women’s WC: Ashleigh Gardner scripts these records with 77-ball hundred
By Gaurav Tripathi | Oct 02, 2025 | 10:57 am
**Ashleigh Gardner Makes History with Record-Breaking Century in ICC Women’s ODI World Cup**
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. This historic feat was achieved during Australia’s second match of the ongoing ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 against New Zealand in Indore on Wednesday.
### Gardner’s Record-Breaking Century
Coming out to bat at No. 6, Gardner reached her century in just 77 balls. She secured the milestone by hitting a four off New Zealand captain Sophie Devine on the very first ball of the 46th over. Gardner’s innings of 115 runs off 83 balls included 16 fours and a six, playing a vital role in transforming Australia’s position from a precarious 128/5 in 21.2 overs to a formidable total of 326 all out in their allotted overs.
### Valuable Partnerships Fuel Australia’s Total
Throughout her innings, Gardner forged crucial partnerships with her teammates:
– A 64-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Tahlia McGrath (26)
– A 47-run stand for the seventh wicket with Sophie Molineux (14)
– An impressive 69-run partnership for the eighth wicket with Kim Garth (38)
Notably, the 69-run stand with Kim Garth is now the second-highest partnership for Australia Women at this stage in Women’s ODI World Cups.
### A Historic Knock Comes to an End
Gardner’s impressive innings concluded when she was dismissed by Bree Illing on the third ball of the 47th over, caught by Isabella Gaze. Her outstanding performance not only helped Australia post a commanding total but also marked her as the first cricketer to score a century batting at No. 6 or lower in a Women’s ODI World Cup match.
Meanwhile, New Zealand struggled to match the target and lost by 89 runs despite a lone effort from centurion Sophie Devine.
### Third-Fastest Century in Women’s World Cups
Gardner’s century, reached off just 77 deliveries, ranks as the third-fastest in Women’s ODI World Cup history and the fastest by an Australian batter. She trails only Deandra Dottin, who scored off 71 balls against Pakistan in 2017, and England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt, who reached 100 off 76 balls against Pakistan in the same year.
### Twin Hundreds at No. 6 or Lower
Gardner’s 115 is now the highest individual Women’s ODI score while batting at No. 6 or lower. Remarkably, this was Gardner’s second WODI century at this position. Her other century came earlier this year with a 102 against England in Hobart. No other batter has multiple hundreds batting at number six or lower.
For context, West Indies’ Shemaine Campbelle and South Africa’s Annerie Dercksen are the only other players to have scored centuries from these lower batting positions.
### Career Stats Snapshot
Gardner, 28, has now accumulated 1,441 runs from 81 WODIs at an average of 30.65, including seven half-centuries. Her batting strike rate stands at a brisk 109.08.
In addition to her batting prowess, Gardner is an off-spin bowler with 104 wickets at an average of 22.51, including a five-wicket haul.
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Ashleigh Gardner’s historic innings is a testament to her all-round capabilities and a significant milestone in Women’s cricket history. Australia will look to build on this momentum as the tournament progresses.
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