Ash Gardner's masterclass has unbeaten Australia on the cusp of Ashes glory Down Under.

Australia are one win away from retaining the Ashes, thanks to a breathtaking performance from Ash Gardner.

The hosts have taken a 6-0 points lead over England in the series, clean sweeping the touring side in the ODI leg of the multi-format duel, winning all three ODIs.

Gardner was the hero in Hobart, producing not only a maiden ODI ton but her first century in international cricket.

She followed up her run-a-ball hundred with a stunning catch in the field, putting a bow on what was a brilliant performance.

Ash's day 👑⁣
⁣#Ashes pic.twitter.com/nFzzu3lQ7K
— Australian Women's Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) January 17, 2025

Alana King joined the celebrations with a five-wicket haul to help wrap up a memorable contest at Bellerive Oval.

Australia won the toss and opted to bat first, a decision they would soon second-guess.

A solid first 10 overs in the field saw England have their opponents in a hole at 46/3, with Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, and Alyssa Healy all back in the sheds.

Annabel Sutherland was the next casualty, prompting Gardner to arrive at the crease with the hosts at 59-4 and plenty of work needing to be done.

Gardner, who had already contributed for Australia in the series walking into the game with a solid 42* in the first game, and four wickets to her belt, lived up to the hype once again, crafting an innings fightback alongside Beth Mooney with clean and aggressive shot-making.

The pair steered Australia to 115-4 at the innings midpoint and put the foot on the pedal.

During the stand, Mooney joined elite company, becoming the fifth Aussie Women's player to reach 6 000 international runs.

Mooney was removed for 50 off 64 balls, but her departure didn't slow Gardner down.

The 27-year-old right-hander reached three figures for the first time in green and gold colours deep into the Aussies' innings, after an impressive batting phase that included a flurry of fours.

MAIDEN TON!!

Ash Gardner brings up three figures for Australia for the first time, what a knock! #Ashes #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/fC3zeyQjy6
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 17, 2025

Gardner was out eventually for 102 off 102 balls, leaving Georgia Wareham to put the finishing touches on a very competitive total.

Australia recovered superbly from a slow start to post 308-8 from their 50 overs, with the big-hitting Wareham ending unbeaten on 38 from 12 balls.

KING CLEANS UP ENGLAND

Aussie quick Megan Schutt struck two early blows to make inroads into England's top order, but Tammy Beaumont and Nat Sciver-Brunt's efforts allowed England's belief to grow considerably, building patiently to have the visitors at 118-2 at the 24-over mark.

Having already provided a key contribution with the bat, Wareham produced a pair of middle-over breakthrough wickets to change momentum again.

The 25-year-old spinner took the wickets of both Beaumont (54 off 77) and Sciver-Brown (61 off 68) to force the touring team back into rebuild mode.

Amy Jones and Danni Wyatt-Hodge compiled a 49-run stand to keep England in the fight, but the tourists were well out of the chase.

Alana King cleaned up England's lower order to finish with 5-46.

Her bowling haul was assisted by a spectacular catch, as the hero in Hobart, Ash Gardner, produced a truly special effort just inside the rope at deep midwicket.

The catch capped off an extraordinary day for Gardner, who is on track to be crowned Player of the Series, if her form holds and Australia complete their Ashes defence.

Both teams are back in action on Monday at the Sydney Cricket Ground, for the first of three T20 Internationals.

England will need to win all three T20Is and then the series-concluding test match to end their 11-year Ashes drought.

Australia thrash England in one-off women's test for Ashes whitewash

cricket|1 February 2025 at 11:10|© AFP

Australia crushed a lamentable England by an innings and 122 runs in a one-off pink ball test on Saturday to complete a historic women's Ashes whitewash.

In the first women's test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground since 1949, the hosts wrapped up victory within three days to culminate a horror tour by the visitors.

Australia were in a class of their own all series, reinforcing the chasm between the two sides.

They won all three ODIs, three T20s and the sole test that comprised the multi-format Ashes, which has been points-based since 2013 – two for a white-ball win and four for a test.

It was the first time either side has scored a whitewash, ensuring the Ashes stay firmly in the hands of Australia, which regained them on English soil in 2015 and has retained a tight grip ever since.

"It's amazing. I couldn't be more proud of the group that's standing there," said Australia skipper Alyssa Healy.

"I think at every opportunity, when we thought England maybe were clawing their way back, somebody came out and shut the door on them.

"So I think full credit to the group of people standing there."

'REMARKABLE CRICKET'

England arrived in high spirits after winning six of seven matches on their all-format tour of South Africa last month.

But they were methodically worn down by an Australian side with far greater strength in depth.

After being dismissed for 170 in their first innings, England dropped eight catches and missed a stumping on a shambolic day two.

It allowed the hosts to compile 440 on the back of Annabel Sutherland's majestic 163 and Beth Mooney's gritty 106.

Australia then bowled England out for 148 in the final session of day three to complete the rout in a game celebrating the 90th anniversary of the first women's test, played between Australia and England in Brisbane in 1934.

Australian spinner Alana King, who took 5-53, was named player of the series.

"I just want to say congratulations to Australia," said England captain Heather Knight.

"They made it really tough for us out here. They've really pressed home their advantage when they've been on top.

"Look, I think it's been a tough month, hasn't it," she said.

"Australia have played some remarkable cricket, and we've competed at times, I think, but haven't been able to do it for long enough."

Former England men's captain Alastair Cook said the series had "shown the reality of where the two sides are".

"The best thing about when you go down to 5-0 or a clean sweep, is that you're at the bottom and the only way is up," he told reporters ahead of the test.

"Ultimately, England are about 20 per cent behind Australia at everything – batting, bowling, fielding, athleticism, the lot."

Australia retain Women's Ashes with T20I win over England

cricket|20 January 2025 at 12:40|© Reuters

Australia retained the Women's Ashes with three matches to spare following their 57-run victory over England in the opening Twenty20 international in Sydney on Monday.

Holders Australia, who won all three one-day internationals between the teams this month, defended a total of 198 for seven to take an 8-0 lead in the multi-format series.

Australia made it four wins from four against England 🔢

The Ashes have been retained 🏏https://t.co/NAPWg0Bh1Q
— ICC (@ICC) January 20, 2025

Put into bat, the hosts got off to a strong start as batter Beth Mooney scored 75 from 51 balls but lost wickets in quick succession after the 10th over, going from 91 for one to 122 for four.

Captain and allrounder Tahlia McGrath gave their innings a late boost, partnering with Mooney for 45 runs and scoring a rapid knock of 26.

England's response began poorly, with openers Maia Bouchier and Danni Wyatt-Hodge both departing for ducks, and the visitors never truly looked capable of chasing down their target despite a spirited 59 from Sophia Dunkley.

Georgia Wareham was the pick of the bowlers for Australia, taking three wickets and limiting England to 141 runs.

"Glenn Maxwell, watch this!"

Phoebe Litchfield switch-hits for six 🤩 #AUSvENG | #Ashes | #WAshes pic.twitter.com/7wJCzXft8P
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) January 20, 2025

The teams are set to play two more T20Is and one test match. With two points for a limited-overs win, and four on offer in the test, England could still draw the series, but Australia ensured they would retain the Ashes as holders.

"The girls are pretty pumped, but the job's not done, we want to win it outright. We always strive to keep on winning games, that'd be great," Australia spinner Wareham said.

"Mooney was so good with the bat, kicked us off really nicely. Dunkley whacked them today, that was a bit nerve-wracking."

England have not won the Ashes since 2014.

"I think we're just really disappointed, we wanted to bring a lot of energy and we fell quite short," England batter Dunkley told TNT Sports.

"I wanted to go out there and give it my best shot and put the pressure on Australia. We can still draw the Ashes, it's not completely gone, so we'll focus on that."

Gardner's maiden international ton helps Australia gain further Ashes ascendancy

cricket|17 January 2025 at 17:52|© ICC