A few dimensions away in the multiverse, there is a world in which Ashleigh Gardner is already Australia’s captain in all formats. When Meg Lanning surprisingly ended an international career in 2023, with perhaps still years left to play, the selectors had the chance to develop the team into the next generation. It seemed regressive to prioritize the hierarchy by appointing Alyssa Healy, two years older than Lanning, leaving the team at a time when those two, plus Ellyse Perry, dominated in terms of name, fame and personality for over a decade.
Gardner was 26 at the time, the perfect age to jump into something new and operate at your peak. Earlier that year, she had pocketed half a million US dollars for a T20 stint in India, 12 wickets in a Test at Trent Bridge, and was not looking for a Cup final of the world T20. She had gone from being a useful bowler to a genuine spinner to go with her batting power, and whatever her appointment, she was already a leader in terms of performance.
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The all-rounder filled one of the few gaps in that CV in Hobart on Friday, when the third and final Women’s Ashes ODI produced her maiden international century. In some ways it’s surprising that this hasn’t happened yet, given that she’s been playing for Australia since she was 19, but Gardner’s batting has focused on fast innings rather that long. Throughout the history of the WBBL, only Beth Mooney has struck out as many times with a higher strike rate. In the women’s international T20s, there are four players. And in women’s one-day cricket, not a single player can beat her on this metric.
So it was a round of leadership to make 102, first buckling down, then accelerating to finish with a run. Right from the start with a score of 59-4, Australia needed substance. Gardner provided him with back-to-back partnerships of 95 and 103 alongside Mooney and Tahlia McGrath. Even early in her drought, Gardner was ready to hit Sydney Sixers teammate Sophie Ecclestone over the rope, and most of her subsequent offensive shots came against a spin.
There were a few high shots that had an element of luck on the field of play, but eight fours and a six from such a large score is a tight ratio by Gardner’s standards. The innings were more about his 65 trips across the field to score his ones and twos, plus another 38 sprints for his two partners. Nat Sciver-Brunt served up a platter of pies to take Gardner from 90 to 99 in three balls, but by then the hard work had been rewarded.
His team was also rewarded. A deck of 257 with four overs remaining gave Georgia Wareham the chance to crush Australia to 308 with a fierce 38 not out from 12 balls. Suddenly the team looked much better balanced thanks to Wareham’s crisp strikes and leg breaks. England fell short of the chase, bowed out for 222 and lost for 86. Australia finish 3-0 in ODIs, lead 6-0 on points and can retain the trophy next week by winning just one T20.
The other aspect showing leadership was Gardner battling through a difficult career stretch with the bat. It wasn’t exactly a rut, but between the Women’s Premier League in early 2023 and an ODI series in December 2024, she crossed 50 twice across all franchises and in international cricket. His recent WBBL season was particularly bare. Gardner used his bowling to stay in the tournament, but had to find a way back to racing.
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Even 50 against India last December helped her, 74 against New Zealand in Wellington gave her a run for her money, and in the first Women’s Ashes ODI it was Gardner who prevented a wobble with 42 not out out to seal a chase. His hundred here is another level of importance, a feat that should give him the confidence to take on the rest of the series. The relief on his face at having reached the goal was evident. Freed, she followed up with the best hold of her career, a one-handed strike on the rope before diving back into the game to send Ecclestone flying.
Gardner can now think about what happens next. At 27, she is expected to be in line for future leadership roles and could become Australia’s first Indigenous cricket captain. The national experience also has McGrath in the frame, who played an important role in this match with 55 points. These days, though, when this Australian team has creaks and wobbles, Gardner and Mooney feel like the most important players, the ones who deliver most often when problems need to be resolved. When the time comes, this reality should be reflected on the team sheet as well as the scorecard.