Australia’s Ashleigh Gardner etched her name into cricket history on Wednesday, October 1, during the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 in Indore. Coming in at No. 6 against New Zealand, Gardner smashed a brilliant 115 off just 83 balls, becoming the first cricketer in Women’s ODI World Cup history to score a century while batting at No. 6 or lower.
Record-Breaking Knock
Gardner reached her hundred in just 77 balls, hitting 16 fours and a six. She brought up the milestone with a boundary off New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine in the 46th over. Her innings not only broke records but also revived Australia after they were struggling at 128/5.
With crucial partnerships — 64 runs with Tahlia McGrath, 47 with Sophie Molineux, and 69 with Kim Garth — Gardner powered Australia to 326 before being dismissed by Bree Illing.
Fastest Hundreds in Women’s ODI World Cups (by balls)
- 71 – Deandra Dottin (West Indies) vs Pakistan, Leicester (2017)
- 76 – Nat Sciver-Brunt (England) vs Pakistan, Leicester (2017)
- 77 – Ashleigh Gardner (Australia) vs New Zealand, Indore (2025)
- 79 – Nat Sciver-Brunt (England) vs Australia, Hamilton (2022)
Gardner’s knock overtook Alex Blackwell’s 90 in 2017, which had been the highest score at No. 6 or lower in Women’s World Cup history.
Match Impact
Her 115 was not just a personal milestone but a game-changing innings for Australia, ensuring the defending champions stayed on top despite an early collapse. The 69-run stand with Kim Garth also became the second-highest eighth-wicket partnership for Australia in Women’s World Cup history.
For New Zealand, Lea Tahuhu and Jess Kerr took three wickets each, while Amelia Kerr and Bree Illing grabbed two apiece, but none could stop Gardner’s history-making performance.
Ashleigh Gardner has set a new benchmark in women’s cricket, proving once again why she is one of the most dangerous middle-order batters in the game. Her innings not only rewrote the record books but also gave fans one of the finest World Cup knocks ever seen.
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