Slow start for Gardner, Giants in Women’s Premier League

Callan Morse Published February 29, 2024 at 2.30pm (AWST)

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Gardner could only manage 7 (12) in Gujarat's loss to RCB on Wednesday. (Image: Women's Premier League)

Ash Gardner and the Gujarat Giants have started their 2024 Women's Premier League campaign in bleak fashion, losing their first two fixtures of the Indian franchise league.

Opening their season against the Mumbai Indians at Bangalore's M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Gardner's Giants could only manage 9-126 after being sent in to bat by Mumbai captain Harmanpreet Kaur.

Entering the match in the eighth over with the scoreboard poised at 4-52, Gardner struck two boundaries on her way to 15 (22).

The Muruwari allrounder was beginning to look comfortable at the crease however lost her wicket after advancing and being beaten in flight by New Zealand leg-spinner Amelia Kerr (4-17), Gardner subsequently toeing the ball to Shabnim Ismail, who took a sharp running catch at long-off.

Batting at 9, off-spinner Tanuja Kanwar added some respectability to the Giants' score with 28 (21), with Scottish international Kathryn Bryce contributing 25* (24).

Although reducing Mumbai to 3-49 on the back of tidy bowling from Kanwar (2-21) and Bryce (1-22) the chasing side prevailed with five wickets and 11 balls to spare.

Gardner went wicketless (0-23) from her four overs, with Kaur (46* from 41) anchoring the chase whilst being well supported by Kerr (31 from 25), who was awarded Player of the Match.

At the same stadium two days later Gujarat ran into a red hot Royal Challenges Bangalore, who comfortably accounted for the Giants by 8 wickets.

Gardner took 1-15 (3) in Gujarat's loss to Royal Challengers Bangalore on Wednesday. (Image: Women's Premier League)

Sent in to bat for a second consecutive match, Gardner joined opener Harleen Deol (22 from 31) halfway through the innings with the scoreboard poised at 3-45 however after a mix up between the two left Deol run out, Gujarat quickly slumped to 4-50.

Gardner went on to score 7 (12) before being caught at cover four overs later after electing to advance and hit against the spin of Australian leg-spinner Georgia Wareham (1-20).

Dayalan Hemalatha top scored for the Giants with an unbeaten 31* (25).

RCB dominated the Giants' attack in response, ending the match with eight wickets in hand and more than seven overs remaining.

Gardner took one of two innings wickets, dismissing opener Sophie Devine (6 from 6) partway through the fourth over.

The off-spinner ended with figures of 1-15 from her three overs.

Sabbhineni Meghana (36* from 28) and Ellyse Perry (23* from 14) guided RCB to a comfortable victory.

Gujarat will be seeking their opening win of the tournament on Saturday when they face the UP Warriorz.