Ash Gardner soars again, earns first WPL win as skipper
Ash Gardner has served up a superb allround display in India's Women's Premier League for the second time in three days - but this time it was enough for her to celebrate a maiden triumph in her new role as Gujarat Giants captain.
Gardner had been fabulous in her first outing as captain in Friday's season opener, blasting a captain's knock of 79 not out before taking two quick wickets in six balls, only to find it still couldn't drag the Giants to a win over champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
And there was a moment on Sunday when the 27-year-old Sydneysider must have feared her heroics might not suffice again at the same Vadodara ground as she looked disgusted at departing tamely after another terrific half-century in a run chase against UP Warriorz.
Wickets ✅Runs ✅Outstanding catch ✅#GG skipper Ash Gardner wins the Player of the Match award for her commanding all-round show 🫡Scorecard ▶ https://t.co/KpTdz5nl8D#TATAWPL | #GGvUPW pic.twitter.com/i8owZcnK4t
— Women's Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) February 16, 2025
After powering to 52 off just 32 balls and looking unstoppable, Gardner deposited a long hop from her Australian international teammate Tahlia McGrath straight into the hands of short fine leg.
With her side still needing 58 to win with six wickets standing, it looked as Gujarat might be in danger of missing out again, but a terrific unbroken fifth-wicket stand between big-hitting West Indian Deandra Dottin (33no off 18 balls) and Harleen Deol (34no off 30) steered the Giants to a six-wicket win.
"Very pleased," beamed Gardner, who had earlier taken 2-39 with her spin while also taking a marvellous running catch to get rid of her opposing captain Deepti Sharma.
"We weren't that far off in the other game, and to come out and play the brand of cricket we spoke of, feels special."
Captain 🆚 CaptainDeepti Sharma departs as flying Gardner grabs a stunner 👏#TATAWPL | #GGvUPW | @Giant_Cricket pic.twitter.com/GodR9Qkcux
— Women's Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) February 16, 2025
Gardner's form with the bat so far has been particularly special, as she's hammered 11 sixes in just her first two innings, including a record-equalling eight against RCB.
And she's already the owner of the orange cap as top run-scorer and purple cap as leading wicket-taker.
"There's always things to improve on, but our bowlers did a fantastic job. Priya Mishra, to pick up three wickets at this stage, makes captaincy easy," said the skipper.
Indeed, the spinner Mishra's 3-25 off four overs, which included the wickets of McGrath for a second-ball duck and Grace Harris for four, was key to keeping Warriorz down to 9-143, a target which Giants surpassed with two overs to spare.
Beth Mooney, who's now vice-captain after giving up the skipper's armband to Gardner, got caught in an Aussie trap at the top of the Gujarat order, thumping a Harris full toss straight into the hands of McGrath for a golden duck.
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