Ash Gardner's strong form with the bat has failed to prevent the Gujarat Giants from being eliminated from playoff contention in the Women's Premier League.
The Muruwari star top-scored for Gujarat in their match against the UP Warriorz overnight, however her performance was in vein as the Warriorz chased down the Giants' score with a single ball to spare.
Batting in Gujarat's middle order, Gardner played a pivotal role in the Giants posting a competitive 6-178, scoring 60 from just 39 balls.
She came to the crease in the sixth over following the dismissal of Harleen Deol (4 from 7), combining with Dylan Hemalatha (57 from 33) in an innings-high 93-run fourth wicket stand.
Gardner was especially damaging to spin with all six boundaries and three sixes coming from slow bowling, leading to a healthy strike rate of 153.85.
However spin bowling also lead to her downfall, as she was stumped by Alyssa Healy after advancing Warriorz left-arm orthodox spinner Sophie Ecclestone in the second last over of the innings.
Requiring a win to keep their playoff hopes alive Gujarat began their bowling innings well, dismissing UP Warriorz openers Alyssa Healy (12 from 8) and Devika Vaidya (7 from 8) along with top order batter Kiran Navgire (4 from 4), to see the Warriorz sit at 3-39 in the fifth over.
However allrounders Tahlia McGrath (57 from 38) and Grace Harris (72 from 41) regained ascendancy for the Warriorz, combining in a 78-run 3rd wicket stand.
Gardner brought the Giants back into the game in the 14th over, dismissing McGrath after she hauled out to long off, however it wasn't to be for Gujarat as Harris found an ally at the crease in Sophie Ecclestone (19* from 13), seeing the Warriorz home with a ball to spare.
Gardner finished the match with commendable figures of 1-29 from her four overs.
Gujarat's tight loss to the Warriorz compounded their loss after being convincingly outplayed by the Royal Challengers Bangalore two days previous.
Against the fourth placed RCB Gujarat posted a competitive 4-188 batting first, with opener Laura Wolvaardt (68 from 42) top scoring whilst Gardner (41 from 26) made a strong contribution in the middle order.
However Gujarat's total was easily chased down by RCB, largely thanks to a blistering 99 (36) from opener Sophie Devine, complimented by Smriti Mandhana's 37 (31).
Gardner had a match to forget with the ball, taken for 48 from just three overs.
She finishes the tournament having scored 204 runs at an average of 29.14 and having taken 10 wickets at an average of 25.50.
The consecutive losses leave Gujarat at the bottom of the Women's Premier League ladder, a position they'll likely remain in with only two matches remaining before the playoffs due to a negative net run-rate.
The side won just two of their eight tournament matches.
Gardner will next be in action in June where she will undoubtedly feature in Australia's touring side of England, where Australia and England will play one test, three T20's and and three one-day international as part of the Women's Ashes.
