In a thrilling display of cricketing prowess, Australia emerged victorious over England in the one-off Women’s Ashes Test, triggering a social media storm as fans took to Twitter to celebrate the outstanding performance. Ashleigh Gardner‘s remarkable 8-wicket haul played a pivotal role in dismantling the English batting lineup.
The match began with England requiring 152 runs on the final day with five wickets in hand. However, their hopes were dashed as Gardner tore through the batting order, leaving the English team reeling. Gardner’s exceptional bowling display included taking all five wickets to fall on the fifth morning, adding to the three she claimed the previous evening, leading to an abrupt collapse for the home side.
England’s Danni Wyatt managed to shine amidst the chaos, scoring an impressive maiden Test fifty on her debut, but even her valiant efforts could not salvage the situation. Wyatt was the final wicket to fall as England capitulated, eventually getting bowled out for 178 runs, succumbing to an 89-run defeat.
With this Test victory, Australia secured four crucial points in their bid to retain the Ashes. The defending champions now only need to win two of the remaining six white-ball matches (comprising three T20 internationals and three ODIs), with each win offering two points, to secure their hold on the prestigious trophy.
The cricketing world took notice of Gardner’s extraordinary performance, and Twitter was abuzz with praise and admiration for the Australian all-rounder. Fans hailed her incredible bowling figures of 8/66, recognizing her instrumental role in the team’s triumph.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
5 days of hard work, grit and determination.
It wasn't to be but there is so much to be proud of 🫶
Special memories to last a lifetime. #EnglandCricket #Ashes pic.twitter.com/ki6JjgKNAm
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 26, 2023
Australia's first Test win since 2015!
And importantly, four points in the multi-format #Ashes series!
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) June 26, 2023
ASHLEIGH GARDNER, ONE OF THE CHAMPION EFFORT EVER.
8 wickets for just 66 runs while defending 268 runs in the 4th innings – Australia won the Women's Ashes Test. pic.twitter.com/1A6Kpg6w7N
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 26, 2023
Australia triumph in the Women’s #Ashes Test 🫡
📝 #ENGvAUS: https://t.co/w2dM92Ku8E pic.twitter.com/sY6OsEMHrw
— ICC (@ICC) June 26, 2023
Incredible test cricket at Trentbridge & a brilliant win from @AusWomenCricket Inspired leadership from @ahealy77 & incredible individual performance from @akgardner97 🇦🇺🏏 @ACA_Players @CricketAus 👍🏻💪 pic.twitter.com/E3AF9ph9QC
— Todd Greenberg (@Todd_Greenberg) June 26, 2023
Won it! #ForMeg #Ashes pic.twitter.com/nOTF9l8Abv
— australian womens cricket with very little context (@awcwvlc) June 26, 2023
200+ wins in international cricket for AUS
Ricky Ponting
Steve Waugh
Adam Gilchrist
Glenn McGrath
Michael Clarke
Mark Waugh
Brett Lee
Shane Warne
ELLYSE PERRY@AusWomenCricket @CricketAus #ENGvAUS #Ashes
— Swamp (@sirswampthing) June 26, 2023
https://twitter.com/Shanks63331148/status/1673294918440165377
👏 Congratulations to @AusWomenCricket, who have won the Women's #Ashes Test match.
A wonderful match to start the series. pic.twitter.com/HpXjdo9Wnc
— Lord's Cricket Ground (@HomeOfCricket) June 26, 2023
England had an opening bat make a double century and a bowler take 10 for and still got done by plenty. Proper high standard of cricket played by both sides, huge tick for five day women’s Tests.
— Rudi Edsall (@RudiEdsall) June 26, 2023
Best Bowling Spell in the History of Women's Cricket by Ash Gardner… #WomensAshes
— Hiren Rathod (@rathod_hiren) June 26, 2023
What a wonderful performance from Ash Gardner. Her 8/66 the second best figures ever in the history of Women's Test Cricket #Ashes #WAshes
— Robert Rice (@RobRice41) June 26, 2023
Wyatt is the last wicket & Aussies win the Test by 89 runs & take a 4 point lead in the Ashes.
— Women's Cricket Blog (@WomensCricBlog) June 26, 2023
Ash Gardner finishes with 12-165 from 45.2 overs, the best bowling figures by an Australian woman in Test history.#Ashes pic.twitter.com/D861hJlIBE
— JustMyThoughts (@shaibal_27) June 26, 2023
Ash literally won the game & didn’t go as crazy #Ashes https://t.co/X6rH6ZzBsH
— Julian (@JulianStevens95) June 26, 2023
Tough one for England Women to lose by 89 runs to Australia it was a real Gutsy effort gutted for them @Tammy_Beaumont and Sophie Eccleston we're outstanding they'll bounce back from this setback win the remaining test series. #ENGvsAUS #Ashes2023 #Cricket
— Darren Carley 🇬🇧 (@DarrenCarleyLFC) June 26, 2023
For the first time since 2006, someone picked up 10 wickets in a Women’s test (Sophie Ecclestone yesterday). There have been only 15 games played since then.
And for the first time in women’s test there are two 10WM (Ash Gardener picks up 12). #Ashes2023 #CricketTwitter
— Arpit Rastogi | Cricket (@arptrastogi) June 26, 2023
Queen Ash pic.twitter.com/6caUlr0GVD
— Australian Women's Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) June 26, 2023
Fabulous Test match.
Perry, Sutherland, Beaumont, Mooney, Sciver- Brunt with the bat. Eccelstone and Gardner with the ball.
Not that womens cricket needs to prove itself, but yet another amazing advertisement for more Womens Test cricket. And 5 days of it to boot #Ashes
— Jono Baruch (@JonoBaruch) June 26, 2023
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
