Muruwari allrounder Ash Gardner has catapulted Australia into a strong position against England in the 50-over portion of the women's Ashes with a run-a-ball century, her first in any format in the green and gold, in Hobart on Friday.

Gardner returned form with the bat, ticking the score over around the ground on the way to a convincing half-century, before converting into triple figures to resurrect her side's innings.

The hosts posted 308, putting themselves in the driver's seat to go 3-nil, and six points up in the series before three T20s (worth two points each) and a historic Test (four points) at the MCG to follow starting January 30.

According to ESPNcricinfo, Australia's 8/308 is the highest-ever total posted at the venue in a women's ODI.

It's Gardner's first international ton more than 170 matches for Australia, surpassing her previous high score of 74 across all three formats which she scored against New Zealand during an ODI series in Aotearoa last month.

It's the second most games for Australia by any player, in both women's and men's cricket, to play before scoring a maiden hundred.

"It's been a moment I've been searching for, for so long," she told Channel 7 during the innings break.

"I felt like I've been hitting the ball really well, so to be able to capitalise on that when the team really needed me. It's pleasing to get over that line."

Coming to the crease with the home side in trouble at 4/59 after modest contributions from the top order, Gardner helped steer Australia to a strong total after coming to the crease, pairing with Beth Mooney for a 95-run partnership, with England's attack unable to capitalise on their start.

Australia moved past 250 after Gardner accelerated in the 100-run stand, the teams first three figure partnership since 2022, with Tahlia McGrath (55 from 45).

Gardner's performance comes after two half centuries and 42-not out in her past four knocks, before departing for 2 in a major collapse in Melbourne on Tuesday.

"I felt good in patches, but then other times I was caught over-hitting...I was just trying to go back to basics more often than not," Gardner told Channel 7.

MAIDEN TON!!

Ash Gardner brings up three figures for Australia for the first time, what a knock! #Ashes #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/fC3zeyQjy6

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 17, 2025

In the previous match at Melbourne's CitiPower Centre Australia's bowlers did enough to deny England from levelling the series with a 21-run win.

After Gardner departed for a run-a-ball 102 after being caught at mid-wicket, giving England seamer Lauren Bell her third wicket.

In the final overs Georgia Wareham steered Australian passed 300 with a frantic 38-not out from 12 balls.

England will require their highest white-ball total since September to take any points out of the opening three games of the series.