Gardner’s career best sends White Ferns into a spin in World Cup opener

Callan Morse Published February 14, 2023 at 9.51am (AWST)

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Ash Gardner marked Australia's first T20 World Cup outing in an Indigenous uniform by taking a career-best 5-12. Image: Jan Kruger / ICC.

A maiden international T20 five-wicket haul for Muruwari star Ash Gardner has lead Australia to a resounding win over New Zealand in their opening match of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup.

Gardner took a career best 5-12 from her three overs in Australia's demolition of New Zealand, the White Ferns bowled out for just 76 in 14 overs in response to Australia's imposing 9-173.

New Zealand suffered a catastrophic start, losing openers Susie Bates and Sophie Devine without scoring in the first over of the chase.

NZ steadied through Bernadine Bezuidenhout (14) and top scorer Amelia Kerr (21), however Gardner's introduction into the attack in the ninth over quickly killed off any chance of a fightback.

Gardner is congratulated by teammates Megan Schutt, Alyssa Healy and Meg Lanning after effecting her fifth dismissal of the match. Image: Jan Kruger / ICC.

Gardner struck halfway through of her opening over by claiming the key wicket of Kerr who after attempting to sweep, was bowled after bottom edging a length Gardner delivery back onto her stumps.

The off-spinner then went on to clean up the White Ferns tail, dismissing four of New Zealand's bottom order who collectively could only manage 21 runs, with New Zealand only scoring 26 runs in total after Gardner was introduced into the attack.

Gardner struck twice in her second over after Lea Tahuhu (2) chipped a ball off the back foot to Grace Harris at mid wicket before Hannah Rowe (9) attempted to work a length Gardner delivery to the leg side, trapping her leg-before-wicket.

Two overs later Gardner again struck twice again, with Jess Kerr (10) bowled after she gave up her stumps attempting to cut with Gardner also too good for Eden Carson, dismissing her plumb leg-before-wicket, ending New Zealand's miserly innings.

Garder's performance with the ball has seen her bowling average dip below 20, with the off-spinner now averaging 19.04 with the ball having taken 48 wickets across 68 T20 international appearances. Image: Jan Kruger / ICC.

Gardner (3 from 4) missed out with the bat earlier in the match, with returning wicketkeeper-batter Alyssa Healy (55 from 38), captain Meg Lanning (41 from 33) and allrounder Ellyse Perry (40 from 22), damaging with the bat for Australia

However it was Gardner's day overall, deservedly named Player of the Match for her career-best haul.

She joins Molly Strano, Jess Jonassen, Megan Shutt and Julie Hunter as the only Australian bowlers to have taken five wickets in a women's T20 international match.

Australia's next T20 World Cup match is against Bangladesh at Port Elizabeth's St. George's Park tomorrow.