Gardner spins Giants to maiden victory in Women’s Premier League

Callan Morse Published March 9, 2023 at 6.45am (AWST)

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Ash Gardner celebrates one of her three wickets as Sophie Devine watches on. Image: BCCI Photo.

Three wickets from Muruwari champion Ash Gardner has lead the Gujarat Giants to their maiden victory of the inaugural Women's Premier League tournament.

The victory comes after Gujarat lost their first two matches of the tournament, with Gardner finishing with figure of 3-31 from her four overs in the win.

Her bowling performance saw Gujarat restrict the Royal Challengers Bangalore to 6-190, 11 runs short of the Giants' 7-201.

After conceding seven runs in the opening over of her spell, Gardner struck in each of her final three overs to dismiss RCB captain Smriti Mandhana (18 from 14), Ricah Gosh (10 from 10) and Kanita Ahuja (10 from 7).

She picked up the key wicket of Mandhana in the 6th over of the chase after the left hander pulled a length Gardner delivery against the spin, picking out Mansi Joshi at mid-wicket.

It wasn't until 10 overs later where Gardner returned to the attack, where she clean bowled Ricah Gosh on the first ball of her third over after the RCB wicketkeeper-batter backed away from a quicker, yorker-length Gardner delivery.

Gardner and Sabbhineni Meghana celebrate a wicket. Image: BCCI Photos.

Three overs later Gardner struck for the third time in the innings, dismissing Kanika Ahuja stumped after the left hander advanced the first ball of Gardner's final over, missing a length ball outside off stump.

Gardner also played a key role in dismissing RCH high-scorer Sophie Devine (66 from 45), who threatened to take the match away from Gujarat before she was caught by the all-rounder at long on from the bowling of Annabel Sutherland (2-56).

Following Devine's dismissal, some late-innings striking from Heather Knight (30* from 11) and Shreyanka Patil (11* from 4) wasn't enough to see RCB complete the chase.

In the first innings of the match Gujarat posted a competitive 7-201 on the back of opener Sophia Dunkley 65 (28) and number three Harleen Deol 67 (45).

Gardner chipped in with 19 (15) at number four, striking two boundaries in a 53-run partnership with Deol.

Gujarat now sit in fourth position on the WPL table, with their next match against the undefeated Dehli Capitals at Mumbai's Dr DY Patil Sports Acacemy on Sunday.