Ashleigh Gardner’s second Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) century came when the Sydney Sixers were in trouble. After losing Ellyse Perry, Sophia Dunkley and Amelia Kerr, they were 3-6 against reigning champions Hobart Hurricanes. Gardner took charge, 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 almost nine years after Gardner’s first WBBL hundred. In December 2017, she struck 114 from 52 balls at North Sydney Oval. At that time, she was known mainly for attacking batting, while her off-spin was seen as part-time. She was only beginning to establish herself in Australia’s team. Today, 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 part of her game. Her batting has developed again over the past two years. After securing a regular middle-order place, she scored three ODI centuries in 2025, while her T20I batting also flourished in 2026. Before WBBL|12, she made 84 against New Zealand in a T20I, her highest international score in the format since 2020.
Against Hobart, Gardner had nine runs from 15 balls as she settled in. She explained that experience had taught her not to force the pace when a quick start was difficult. “I think a couple of years ago, I probably would have, I don’t know, maybe either hit out or tried too much too soon,” she said. Instead, she trusted the pitch and gave herself time.
“I knew that if I got enough balls in my scoring areas that I’d catch up pretty quickly.” After reaching her half-century, Gardner accelerated and needed only 17 more balls to reach her hundred. Alice Capsey, the England batter in the Sixers line-up, stayed 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 moving and helped Gardner retain the strike. “I wish cricket was always that easy,” Gardner said. They knew they needed 180 and would still have to bowl well against the Hurricanes’ strong batting line-up. The partnership gave the Sixers a strong platform. Gardner said the good surface helped her stay calm; a tackier pitch could have made the recovery harder.
The 87-run win was more convincing than their opening match, when they beat Brisbane Heat on the final ball on Friday night. The squad is largely similar to 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 also brought experience.
Gardner credited new coach Peter Clarke, a former Australia team psychologist who was a Sixers assistant last season. She described the side as balanced and said it no longer depended on one or two players for most of its runs, as sometimes happened when Perry (‘Pez’) scored heavily. Clarke had encouraged the players to act with belief and commitment.
“The beauty of this side (is) it’s probably one of the most balanced teams that we’ve had,” Gardner said. She also noted that the Sixers bat deep, spreading responsibility across the group. Clarke’s psychology background gives the team another perspective on handling pressure during matches.
After Round 1, Sydney Sixers Women were first in the Weber WBBL 12 standings. They had played two matches, won both, earned four points and had a net run rate of 2.25. Hobart Hurricanes had also played twice, but had no wins, zero points and a net run rate of -2.625. Gardner said the Sixers would not want to be 3-6 again, but believed they could recover if needed. She also valued Clarke’s understanding of cricket’s mental side.
Gardner’s second WBBL hundred showed how much her game has changed since 2017. She answered an early collapse with patience, built a major stand with Capsey and contributed with the ball. Her performance took the Sixers to the top of the table, while Hobart remained without a win after two matches. It underlined Gardner’s value as captain and allrounder.
(Quotes sourced from cricket.com.au)
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