Australia’s star all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner etched her name into cricket’s history books with a blistering hundred against New Zealand during the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025. Walking in at No. 6 with her team struggling at 128/5, Gardner delivered one of the finest counter-attacking knocks the tournament has ever witnessed. Australia posted 326 in 49.3 overs against New Zealand at Holkar Stadium in Indore on Wednesday, October 1.

Ashleigh Gardner’s record-breaking hundred for Australia against New Zealand in Women’s World Cup 2025

Gardener scored 115 off just 83 balls, becoming the first cricketer in Women’s World Cup history to hit a century batting at No. 6 or lower. Her innings not only rescued Australia but also powered them to a strong total, changing the course of the match completely.

Gardner’s innings was a masterclass in composure and controlled aggression under pressure. When she walked out to bat in the 22nd over, the situation looked dire for the seven-time champions, who had lost five wickets in quick succession. Yet, Gardner displayed remarkable maturity, absorbing the pressure while maintaining a brisk scoring rate. She reached her century in just 77 balls by driving Sophie Devine through the covers for four in the 46th over, becoming the third-fastest centurion in Women’s World Cup history.

The milestone also set her apart as the only batter to score a century from No. 6 or below in the tournament’s long history, surpassing Alex Blackwell’s 90 in 2017. Gardner’s ability to find gaps with crisp timing, combine boundaries with strike rotation, and keep her nerve despite the collapse around her made this knock truly historic. By the time she was dismissed by Bree Illing in the 47th over, Gardner had smashed 16 fours and a six, ensuring her innings would be remembered as one of the defining knocks of World Cup cricket.

Ashleigh Gardner scores the HIGHEST by a No.6 or lower batter in women’s ODIs.

115 – Asheligh Gardner🇦🇺 v NZ, 2025*
105 – Shemaine Campbelle🏝️ v SL, 2013
104 – Annerie Dercksen🇿🇦 v SL, 2025
102 – Ashleigh Gardner🇦🇺 v ENG, 2025
93 – Deepti Sharma🇮🇳 v SA, 2025

🔹 Gardner also… pic.twitter.com/2zJi4GGCN3

— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) October 1, 2025

Ash Gardner becomes the FIRST ever cricketer to score a century while batting at 6 or lower position in a women’s World Cup.

Previous record :
90 – Alex Blackwell 🇦🇺 v IND, 2017
74* – Ally Kuylaars 🇿🇦 v PAK, 1997
73* – Maria Fahey 🇳🇿 v IND, 2005#CWC25 #AUSvNZ

— Rhitankar Bandyopadhyay (@_rhitankar_) October 1, 2025

Also WATCH: Women’s World Cup: Amelia Kerr’s googly rattles Phoebe Litchfield’s stumps in AUS-W vs NZ-W game

CWC 2025: Gardner’s crucial Partnerships that lifted Australia from crisis to command

Equally important to Gardner’s century were the partnerships she built along the way, which pulled Australia out of a hole and into a position of dominance. First, she added 64 crucial runs with Tahlia McGrath, steadying the ship when New Zealand were firmly in control. Then came a gritty 47-run stand with Sophie Molineux, which frustrated the White Ferns’ bowlers and gave Australia breathing space.

However, it was the 69-run partnership with Kim Garth that truly turned the innings around. This stand became the second-highest 8th wicket or lower partnership for Australia in Women’s World Cup history, only behind Blackwell and Beams’ 76-run 10th wicket stand in 2017. Gardner marshalled the lower order brilliantly, guiding her partners while shouldering the scoring burden. Every time New Zealand sensed a breakthrough, Gardner counter-punched with boundaries that deflated their spirits. By the time she fell, Australia had surged past 300, a score unthinkable at 128/5. These partnerships highlighted Gardner’s ability not just as a power-hitter but as a leader in crisis, orchestrating Australia’s fightback with skill and resilience.

69-run partnership between Gardner and Garth is the second-highest for Australia Women for the 8th wicket or below in World Cups, behind the 76 runs 10th wicket stand between Kristen Beams and Alex Blackwell against India at Derby in 2017.

— ankit (@ankit5y5) October 1, 2025

Here’s how fans reacted:

2nd ODI hundred and what a time to achieve it. In a World Cup game with the team under pressure. Brilliant innings by star Ash Gardner. 👏 pic.twitter.com/gqiQ8N1Etr

— CricBlog ✍ (@cric_blog) October 1, 2025

Ash Gardner starts the World Cup with a century-the first century of this World Cup. Hats Off!
Big acceleration expected from here ! pic.twitter.com/jOyXILOJLa

— AsliBCCIWomen (@AsliBCCIWomen) October 1, 2025

Fans bowing down to Ashleigh Gardner in Indore. Look at that! Deserved respect. What a gun player she is and not one to shy away from standing up for a cause! #AUSvNZ #CWC25

— Lavanya 🎙️🎥👩🏻‍💻 (@lav_narayanan) October 1, 2025

Obscene innings from Ash Gardner there. The issue with beating Australia is there is always someone who makes runs, even on their worst days.

— Jarrod Kimber (@ajarrodkimber) October 1, 2025

Serious innings by Ash Gardner to bring up her maiden 💯 in World Cup. The Aussies were in trouble, however she has given the bowlers something to defend. For someone who rarely smiles, I loved the celebration.

— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) October 1, 2025

Ash Gardner 🌟#AUSvNZ

— Peeyush Sharma (@peeyushsharmaa) October 1, 2025

Gardner is showing how easy to bat on this wicket. What a shame about the rest of the batters batting Litchfield . Extremely disappointing #CWC25

— Cricket Tamizhan (@CricketTamizhan) October 1, 2025

Wish the World Cup was on a platform more people watched in Australia, because this Ash Gardner innings is special #CWC25

— Ricky Mangidis (@rickm18) October 1, 2025

Ash Gardner is ridiculous. The terrifying nature of the Aussies’ Women side – They’re a swiss army knife, they only need 1 of 7 to hit well and they have 300 on the board. #CWC25

— Dre Harrison (@DreHarrison101) October 1, 2025

Ashleigh Gardner turns the game around with a stunning century, leading Australia’s remarkable recovery under pressure in the Women’s World Cup 2025 against New Zealand.#AshleighGardner #CWC25 #AUSvNZ pic.twitter.com/Db83VUMnDw

— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) October 1, 2025

Also READ: Youngsters to watch in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.