Wickets and runs for Gardner as Australia dominate Bangladesh

Callan Morse Published March 25, 2024 at 6.30pm (AWST)

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After taking two wickets, Ash Gardner guided Australia to victory with 20* (23) in Australia's second ODI against Bangladesh on Sunday. (Image: Matthew Lewis/ICC)

Australia has taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in their three-match ODI series against Bangladesh with a dominating six wicket win at Mirpur's Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

After winning the toss and electing to bat all but one of the hosts wickets fell to spin, with Ash Gardner playing a vital role with the ball.

The Muruwari off-spinner took an economical 2-22 from her 10 overs in her side's rout of the hosts, Australia bowling Bangladesh out for just 97 in the 44th over of the match's opening innings.

Gardner delivered 49 dots across her 10 overs, her dismissal including Bangladesh number three, Murshida Khatun, who was caught at point after mistiming a cut in the 17th over.

Leg-spinners Alana King (2-15) and Georgia Wareham (2-30) also took two wickets, with Sophie Molineux returning to the playing XI in style, the left-arm orthodox spinner picking up 3-10 from her 10 overs.

Although stumbling to 4-60 in reply after Australia's top order failed and Tahlia McGrath (10 from 22) was run out by Nigar Sultana Joty, Australia prevailed through Gardner and stalwart Ellyse Perry (35* from 50).

The allrounders combined for 38 for the fifth wicket to see Australia home with more than 26 overs left in the chase, Gardner ending unbeaten on 20* (23).

The match marked the second consecutive contest between the two sides in which Gardner played a pivotal role, after the allrounder took a match-best 3-22 after contributing a handy 32 (38) in the opening match of the series.

Welcome to #TheHundred, Ash Gardner 💛#TheHundredDraft, powered by @sageuk ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/ocCnJPDCnn
— The Hundred (@thehundred) March 20, 2024

Her performance came days after being selected with pick five of The Hundred draft, England's modified white-ball competition.

Gardner will return to the Trent Rockets after being selected fifth in the draft, pocketing her $97,000, the equal highest earned by an Australian alongside Meg Lanning, Beth Mooney, Phoebe Litchfield and Annabel Sutherland.

Australia's final match in their ODI series against Bangladesh will be held on Wednesday followed by a three-match T20 international series, commencing 31 March.

Gardner's first match with the Trent Rockets will be against the Northern Superchargers on 27 July.