Gardner claims One-Day honours at Australian Cricket Awards

Jarred Cross Published February 3, 2025 at 7.00pm (AWST)

sport

Gardner was named Women's ODI Player of Year after claiming 23 wickets (at 15.52) and topping Australia's run scoring with the bat in the format across the previous 12 months. (Image: AAP)

Ash Gardner has capped a stellar summer with her latest piece of silverware at the Australian Cricket Awards, taking honours for Women's ODI Player of the Year and a second-place finish in the Belinda Clark medal count.

The Muruwari allrounder has produced with both bat and ball over the past 12 months, finishing second in wickets taken and staring at the crease in the middle order as Australia's leading runscorer over the period.

Gardner scored 385 runs at 38.50 - lodging her highest career ODI score of 74 in New Zealand to end 2024 before scoring her maiden international century in the third ODI of her side's dominant Ashes campaign.

She trailed only spin partner Alana King for 50-over wickets taken with 23.

The 27-year-old did so at a devastating average of 15.52.

Arguably her best display came in an 83-run win against India at the WACA in December, where Gardner backed up her sixth ODI fifty taking 5/30 with the ball.

During the awards ceremony, Gardner said her team's success across all formats had been the "pinnacle" of the previous twelve months.

"It's actually just been really enjoyable playing some really hard fought cricket, but to come away ending our summer here at home with an Ashes (series win) that's sitting out there proudly…it's pretty special," she said.

Gardner added a 'disappointing' (semi finals exit) result at October's T20 World Cup, having won the previous three tournaments, provided the pause for thought and platform to produce a strong southern hemisphere summer.

Gardner was crowned Australia's finest female cricketer with her second Belinda Clark Medal at last year's awards ceremony. She had previously won the honour in 2022, and was amongst the shortlist to go back-to-back.

Following a standout 12 months, Annabel Sutherland was awarded the medal on Monday night.

Sutherland's four centuries and 1163 runs (44.73 average) was enough to edge out Gardner for the top gong.

Beth Mooney, who finished third in the Belinda Clark Medal tally, was named Women's T20I Player of the Year.

For the men's side, Travis Head claimed top honours with his maiden Allan Border Medal, adding to his ODI Player of the Year won earlier in the evening.

Josh Hazlewood was named Test player of the Year, while Adam Zampa earned the nod for men's T20 Player of the Year.

Australia's women's side next play in a three-match T20 series in New Zealand from March 21.