Gardner influential with bat and ball as Australia retain Ashes in final ball thriller

Callan Morse Published July 17, 2023 at 9.15am (AWST)

sport

Gardner struck two boundaries and a six on her way to 33 (37) in Australia Ashes-clinching victory. (Image: Steve Bardens/Getty Images)

Ash Gardner has led a four-pronged spin attack to see Australia win a final ball thriller against England in the second one-day internationals between the two sides.

Australia's victory at The Rose Bowl sees them retain the Ashes with one ODI remaining.

Gardner, one of four Australian spinners selected for the match alongside left arm orthodox Jess Jonassen, and leg-spinners Alana King and Georgia Wareham, took three wickets after opening the bowling in Australia's defence of 7-282.

The Muruwari allrounder took the new ball alongside seamer Megan Schutt (0-41) however her first wicket didn't come until the middle overs after England started the chase in strong fashion through Tammy Beaumont (60 from 62).

With openers Beaumont, Sophia Dunkley (13 from 30) and captain Heather Knight (12 from 19) back in the sheds thanks to the the spin of Wareham and King, Gardner claimed Dani Wyatt as her first in the 29th over of the chase.

Gardner is congratulated by Tahlia McGrath, Phoebe Litchfield and Alyssa Healy after dismissing England's Amy Jones. (Image: Steve Bardens/Getty Images)

In attempting a slog sweep, Wyatt hauled out to Annabel Sutherland at long on from the bowling of Gardner, capping a middle-overs fightback from Australia which saw England lose 3-37.

Following the loss of Wyatt, England stabilised the chase with unbeaten centurion Nat Sciver-Brunt (111* from 99) joined by wicketkeeper-batter Amy Jones (37 from 34) the pair combining in a 57-run sixth wicket stand.

However with England requiring 81 for victory with 12 overs remaining, two wickets in the space of four balls from Gardner swung momentum Australia's way.

After ending the stay of Jones, who was caught by Schutt at short third after attempting to reverse sweep a yorker-length delivery, Gardner struck again three balls later, removing Sophie Ecclestone leg-before-wicket to see England slump to 7-203.

Gardner (right) played an important role in supporting Australian top-scorer Ellyse Perry (left), the pair sharing in a 56-run fourth wicket stand. (Image: Liam Asman/SPP/Sipa USA)

With momentum against them England never gave up in the chase, with Sarah Glenn (22* from 35) partnering with Sciver-Brunt to put on 76 for the eight wicket, however Australia held their nerve to see hold the home side off, winning by three runs.

Earlier in the match Gardner contributed a handy 33 (37), partnering with innings high-scorer Ellyse Perry (91 from 124) in a 56-run fourth wicket stand that helped stabilise the Australian innings.

Having retained the Ashes, Australia can win the multi-format series outright with a win in the final ODI at Somerset's Country Ground in Taunton on Tuesday.