WATCH: Ashleigh Gardner’s stunning catch to dismiss Smriti Mandhana

Having scored a brilliant half-century with the bat, Ashleigh Gardner continued to work her magic with the ball and in the field as well. She played an instrumental role in picking up Smriti Mandhana‘s wicket in the first innings and once again provided a brilliant contribution to dismiss the Indian opener. This time, she was […]
 By Anuraag Peesara Oct 3, 2021, 16:33 IST
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WATCH: Ashleigh Gardner’s stunning catch to dismiss Smriti Mandhana

Having scored a brilliant half-century with the bat, Ashleigh Gardner continued to work her magic with the ball and in the field as well. She played an instrumental role in picking up Smriti Mandhana‘s wicket in the first innings and once again provided a brilliant contribution to dismiss the Indian opener. This time, she was in the outfield with Sophie Molineux providing Australia the first wicket of the innings.

Smriti Mandhana once again was off to a brilliant start with the bat, scoring 31 off 48 balls, taking her run-tally in the Test to 158. She heaved a full-pitched delivery towards cow-corner, which seemed well wide of the mid-wicket fielder who was placed deep for that very shot. However, much to the surprise of Mandhana and the other Australian players, Ashleigh Gardner covered a lot of ground in no time.

She dived and collected a brilliant catch after that run to dismiss Mandhana, who seemed well-determined to launch another big performance. That wasn’t to be the case as she walked back after adding a 70-run stand for the first wicket. However, Shefali Verma and Punam Raut added some crucial runs for the Indian side and helped them pose a 272-run lead.

Here’s the video of that catch.

 

WATCH: Ashleigh Gardner’s stunning catch to dismiss Smriti Mandhana

Australia collapse after Ashleigh Gardner walks back

Having scored a brilliant half-century for the side, Ashleigh Gardner was found wanting a bit too much at a crucial stage. She lofted a looped full-delivery from Deepti Sharma straight to Mithali Raj and Australia’s innings went downward from that point. The new ball was just 9 balls away when Gardner was dismissed and it allowed India to garner a massive 1st innings lead, although they couldn’t avail much from it.

Also Read: WATCH: Ashwin takes revenge on Krunal; slaps him for return six to win game

Gardner’s 51 off 86 balls included 6 boundaries and not for the first time in her career, she has been found guilty of throwing a good start away. With the ball, Gardner picked up a wicket just 3 overs after that brilliant catch she took to dismiss Mandhana. She knocked over Yastika Bhatia’s stumps in the 21st over, when she tried to defend with her feet all over the place.

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