Top three all round: Surge up ICC batting rankings propels Gardner into rare territory

Jarred Cross Published October 29, 2025 at 3.25pm (AWST)

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In the latest ICC ODI rankings, Gardner sits in the world's top three in batting - after a shoot upwards, bowling and all rounder ratings. (Image: AP - Rafiq Maqbool)

Dominant performances in Australia's bid at claiming back-to-back cricket World Cups has helped propel Ash Gardner into unheralded territory in ICC Rankings.

Off the back of two centuries on her side's unbeaten route to Thursday night's semi final against India, the Muruwari champion has climbed six spots in the batting rankings to sit in the top three in all three categories - batting, bowling and allrounder - for women's ODI's.

In the most recent ratings, announced following the pool stages of the tournament, Gardner now sits second with the bat behind Smriti Mand, maintained her spot on top as an allrounder and remains in the top three of bowlers in the 50 over game - with teammate and spin partner Alana King taking second spot after a devastating 7-18 against South Africa at the weekend.

Averaging 88.33 with the bat at the World Cup, Gardner also has seven wickets to her name and a career-high score of 115 with the second century of her international career against New Zealand earlier in the draw, followed by an unbeaten 104 against England in a six-wicket win last week.

What a way to bring up the first century of #CWC25, Ash Gardner 👌
More on how to watch the LIVE action ➡️ https://t.co/MNSEqhJP29 #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/ko2Q7yHKSA

- ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) October 1, 2025

She's amassed the seventh most runs of all batters across the tournament, with two of the 11 tons hit within all matches.

It represents an unheralded uptick in form with bat across her ODI career.

Over 13 games in her first year in the national team, in 2017, Gardner averaged 13.33 with the bat, holding her place in the XI with her offspin bowling.

She averaged in the 30s with the bat in 2018, 2021 and 2023 (highest at 38.00 from five innings in 2021) before breaking into the mid-60s across nine innings so far this calendar year.

The two-time Belinda Clark Award winner (2022, 2024) as Australia's best female cricketer, Gardner is chasing her second World Cup trophy after lifting it with the team in Aeoteroa three years ago.

Gardner has also been nominated for player of the tournament alongside teammates King, Annabel Sutherland and skipper Alyssa Healy

Australia play India at Mumbai with a spot in the final on the line from 8:30pm (AEDT) Thursday night.