Gardner’s Century and King’s Five-for Lead Australia to ODI Series Sweep
Gardner scores her maiden international century, while King takes a career-best 5 for 46.
By Andrew McGlashan | 16-Jan-2025 watch live channels
Australia 308/8 (Gardner 102, McGrath 55, Mooney 50; Sciver-Brunt 2/51, Dean 2/53) defeated England 222 (Sciver-Brunt 61, Beaumont 54; King 5/46, Schutt 3/57) by 86 runs.
Australia is now within touching distance of retaining the Ashes, following a dominant 86-run victory in Hobart. With this win, Australia takes a 6-0 lead in the series, needing just two points to secure the Ashes.
Ashleigh Gardner’s maiden ODI century anchored Australia’s recovery from a precarious 59 for 4. In partnership with Beth Mooney and Tahlia McGrath, who scored a rapid 50 off 38 balls, Gardner’s century guided Australia past 300. A late blitz from the recalled Georgia Wareham helped propel the total even further.
In response, England’s chase was shaped by half-centuries from Tammy Beaumont and Nat Sciver-Brunt. However, both were dismissed by Wareham, who marked a memorable return to the side. As England seemed to build momentum, Phoebe Litchfield delivered a sensational diving catch to dismiss Danni Wyatt-Hodge, and from that point, the chase fell apart.
England quickly lost 6 wickets for just 22 runs, with Alana King claiming a career-best 5 for 46. King’s outstanding performance, which has brought her total wicket count to 9 in the last two matches, left Australia firmly in control. Gardner then added a stunning highlight of her own, juggling a boundary catch and regaining control to complete an exceptional dive and catch the rebound.
With the Ashes in their sights, England now faces the daunting task of winning all three T20Is and the Test match to reclaim the Ashes for the first time since 2014.
Australia’s Batting Resilience
Gardner’s knock, a perfectly-paced century off 100 balls, was a vital anchor for Australia, especially after a shaky start. Her innings, the second-ever ODI century from No. 6 or below, demonstrated immense composure and timing. Gardner accelerated through the 90s with consecutive boundaries off Sciver-Brunt, guiding Australia to a defendable total.
McGrath’s contribution was also significant, joining Gardner at a critical point when Australia was 154 for 5. Her timely 50 helped stabilize the innings and laid the foundation for the late surge.
Australia’s final 10 overs brought in 104 runs, underscoring the depth of their batting lineup. England’s Sophie Ecclestone had a tough time, conceding 17 runs in the final over, finishing with the second-most expensive figures of her ODI career, all against Australia.
A Tumultuous Start for England
England’s defense of the target began with a frenzied start. Within the first four overs, they burned both DRS reviews but correctly overturned an LBW call against Litchfield. A short time later, Perry’s flick off her pads found short fine leg, a rare moment of fortune for England.
Despite struggling early, Alyssa Healy provided a sharp wicket-keeping display, taking a sharp chance to dismiss Heather Knight.
Beaumont and Sciver-Brunt steadied the ship with a partnership of 89 off 18 overs, but the mounting required run-rate kept the pressure high. Beaumont, who reached her half-century with three boundaries in six balls, was dismissed by Wareham, making her first ODI appearance since March 2024.
Sciver-Brunt reached her own fifty but was dismissed by Wareham, unable to capitalize further.
Turning Points in the Chase
Despite the pressure of the required run-rate hovering around eight per over, England still had hope. A flurry of boundaries from Wyatt-Hodge and Jones briefly revived their hopes, but Litchfield’s extraordinary diving catch to dismiss Wyatt-Hodge proved a game-changer. From that point, Australia seized control and moved within reach of securing the Ashes.