Wouldn’t have dreamt of picking up 12 wickets in a Test: Gardner

When Alyssa Healy won the toss, she was chuffed to bit saying, “We will have a bat first”, and that was a clear reflection of the pitch on offer. It was a pitch that started quite batting-friendly but, as the days progressed, turned into quite the right pitch for the spinners. Australia batting first posted 473, with Annabel Sutherland starring with a 137. 

At that point, it looked like a score well above par. But Tammy Beaumont ensured that England were never too far away from the first innings total posted by Australia, with a scintillating knock - 208 - that perhaps could be a contender for the knock of a lifetime. Not only did the English opener take the odd risk, but she also ensured that she was playing the long game. 

It was only in the second innings that the contest turned around, courtesy of brilliant bowling from Ashleigh Gardner, who picked up 12 wickets in the Test. It wasn’t just that, the off-spinner also picked up her maiden five-wicket haul in the longest format, with an eight-wicket haul in the second innings. In the post-match presentation, the off-spinner insisted that she wouldn’t have dreamt of picking up 12 wickets in a Test. 

“I wouldn't have dreamt of it but it shows having 5 days in a Test match and getting a result is super important. I think there was a bit of luck involved with conditions and I think we really bowled well in partnerships. We kept saying we have to keep it on the stumps, some were bouncing and some were keeping low,” Gardner said in the post-match presentation. 

The off-spinner also lavishly praised skipper and wicketkeeper Healy, who made crucial bowling changes and was tidy behind the stumps. 

“For me, some turned and some didn't so it made it challenging for the batters. I bowl a little quicker naturally than other spinners, it's super important to try and vary your pace as well,” she added.

“Healy was fantastic all Test match, it shows how pivotal it can be standing up to both the spinners and seamers. Having a good keeper you can rely on is super important,” Gardner was in praise of Healy’s efforts behind the stumps. 

With that crucial win, Australia women took a 4-0 lead in the series, but with plenty of fixtures left, Gardner insisted that Australia can’t be ‘complacent’, not one bit. 

“Absolutely not, still six matches to go and a lot can happen. Need to celebrate because it's super special, so we'll celebrate this and then turn our attention to the T20s."