By Gaurav Tripathi | Oct 02, 2025, 10:57 AM
**Ashleigh Gardner Makes History with Record-Breaking Century in ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025**
Australian cricketer Ashleigh Gardner has etched her name in the record books by becoming the first player to score a century after batting at No. 6 or lower in an ICC Women’s ODI World Cup match. This historic feat was achieved during Australia’s second match of the ongoing ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 against New Zealand in Indore on Wednesday.
### Gardner’s Record-Breaking Century
Coming in to bat at No. 6, Gardner reached her century in just 77 balls. She achieved the milestone by hitting a four off New Zealand captain Sophie Devine on the very first ball of the 46th over. Gardner went on to score 115 runs off 83 balls, including 16 fours and a six.
Her innings was crucial in rescuing Australia from a precarious position of 128/5 in 21.2 overs to a formidable total of 326 all out in their allotted overs.
### Valuable Partnerships Fuel Australia’s Total
During her knock, Gardner shared vital partnerships with her teammates. She added 64 runs for the sixth wicket with Tahlia McGrath (26), followed by a 47-run partnership for the seventh wicket with Sophie Molineux (14).
Most notably, Gardner put together a 69-run stand for the eighth wicket with Kim Garth (38), which now stands as the second-highest partnership for Australia Women at this stage in ODI World Cups.
### Dismissal and Match Outcome
Gardner’s impressive innings came to an end when she was dismissed by Bree Illing on the third ball of the 47th over. The catch was taken by Isabella Gaze, closing a historic chapter that not only helped Australia post a strong total but also set a new record for the tournament.
Despite a lone effort from centurion Sophie Devine, New Zealand fell short by 89 runs.
### Third-Fastest Century in Women’s World Cups
Gardner completed her century off just 77 deliveries, making it the third-fastest century in Women’s World Cup history and the fastest by an Australian batter. She trails only Deandra Dottin (71 balls vs Pakistan, 2017) and England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt (76 balls vs Pakistan, 2017).
### Twin Hundreds at Six or Lower
Gardner’s score of 115 is now the highest individual WODI score by a player batting at six or lower. Remarkably, this is Gardner’s second WODI century while batting at number six, with her previous hundred being 102 against England in Hobart earlier this year. No other batter has multiple hundreds from these lower-order positions.
Other notable players with centuries from No. 6 or lower include West Indies’ Shemaine Campbelle and South Africa’s Annerie Dercksen.
### Gardner’s All-Round Stats
The 28-year-old Gardner has now amassed 1,441 runs from 81 WODI matches at an average of 30.65, including two centuries and seven half-centuries. Her strike rate stands at an impressive 109.08.
An effective off-spin bowler, Gardner has also taken 104 wickets in WODIs at an average of 22.51, including a five-wicket haul.
Ashleigh Gardner continues to prove herself as a key all-rounder for Australia, combining powerful batting performances with consistent bowling contributions.
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