Ashleigh Gardner’s second Girls’s Massive Bash League (WBBL) century came when the Sydney Sixers have been in hassle. After losing Ellyse Perry, Sophia Dunkley and Amelia Kerr, they have been 3-6 against reigning champions Hobart Hurricanes. Gardner took cost, scoring 124 from 60 balls and later taking 3-23. Her performance helped the Sixers win by 87 runs and make it two victories from two matches in WBBL 12.
The innings came nearly nine years after Gardner’s first WBBL hundred. In December 2017, she struck 114 from 52 balls at North Sydney Oval. At the moment, she was recognized primarily for attacking batting, while her off-spin was seen as part-time. She was solely starting to establish herself in Australia’s workforce. At the moment, she is a genuine allrounder, Sixers captain, Australia’s vice-captain and a two-time Belinda Clark Award winner.
For a period, her off-spin became the stronger a part of her game. Her batting has developed again over the previous two years. After securing an everyday middle-order place, she scored three ODI centuries in 2025, while her T20I batting additionally flourished in 2026. Earlier than WBBL|12, she made 84 against New Zealand in a T20I, her highest international score within the format since 2020.
Towards Hobart, Gardner had nine runs from 15 balls as she settled in. She explained that have had taught her to not pressure the tempo when a quick begin was troublesome. “I believe a few years in the past, I most likely would have, I don’t know, perhaps either hit out or tried an excessive amount of too quickly,” she said. As an alternative, she trusted the pitch and gave herself time.
“I knew that if I obtained enough balls in my scoring areas that I’d catch up fairly rapidly.” After reaching her half-century, Gardner accelerated and wanted solely 17 more balls to succeed in her hundred. Alice Capsey, the England batter within the Sixers line-up, stayed together with her and scored an unbeaten 54 from 40 balls.
The pair added 176 for the fourth wicket, turning the innings around. Capsey kept the scoring shifting and helped Gardner retain the strike. “I wish cricket was at all times that straightforward,” Gardner said. They knew they wanted 180 and would still need to bowl well against the Hurricanes’ sturdy batting line-up. The partnership gave the Sixers a strong platform. Gardner said the good floor helped her stay calm; a tackier pitch could have made the restoration more durable.
The 87-run win was more convincing than their opening match, after they beat Brisbane Warmth on the ultimate ball on Friday night time. The squad is largely just like last season, although Alyssa Healy’s retirement has left a gap. Capsey has joined, taken the wicketkeeping gloves and strengthened the middle order. Veteran fast bowler Sarah Coyte has additionally brought experience.
Gardner credited new coach Peter Clarke, a former Australia workforce psychologist who was a Sixers assistant last season. She described the aspect as balanced and said it not depended on one or two gamers for most of its runs, as typically happened when Perry (‘Pez’) scored closely. Clarke had encouraged the gamers to behave with perception and dedication.
“The fantastic thing about this aspect (is) it’s most likely one of the vital balanced groups that we’ve had,” Gardner said. She additionally noted that the Sixers bat deep, spreading responsibility across the group. Clarke’s psychology background provides the workforce another perspective on dealing with pressure throughout matches.
After Spherical 1, Sydney Sixers Girls have been first within the Weber WBBL 12 standings. That they had played two matches, received both, earned 4 factors and had a internet run price of 2.25. Hobart Hurricanes had additionally played twice, however had no wins, zero factors and a internet run price of -2.625. Gardner said the Sixers wouldn’t need to be 3-6 again, however believed they could get better if wanted. She additionally valued Clarke’s understanding of cricket’s mental aspect.
Gardner’s second WBBL hundred showed how a lot her game has changed since 2017. She answered an early collapse with patience, built a significant stand with Capsey and contributed with the ball. Her performance took the Sixers to the top of the table, while Hobart remained with out a win after two matches. It underlined Gardner’s worth as captain and allrounder.
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