Ashleigh Gardner Smashes 2nd Fastest Fifty In WBBL History

Ashleigh Gardner scores 18-ball-fifty [Source: WBBL/X]

Ashleigh Gardner continued her blistering form in the 12th edition of the Women's Big Bash League, as the Sydney Sixers took on the city rivals, Sydney Thunder, on Sunday afternoon. In the clash at the North Sydney Oval, Gardner went past 200 runs in the season, with her second fifty-plus score of the season.

The Sixers captain was coming into the match, having already scored a century in the season, and thanks to her form, the Sixers are unbeaten and at the top of the league table. 

The all-rounder's fifty on Saturday helped her team get to a formidable first-innings total, whilst breaking records.

Ashleigh Gardner show in Sydney Smash

The first Sydney Smash, i.e., the city derby of the season saw Thunder captain Phoebe Litchfield win the toss and bowl first. While Sophia Dunkley (run-a-ball-15) and Melie Kerr (14 off 17) struggled to get going, Gardner stepped in at 65/2 at the 9.5 over mark.

With the match reduced to 16 overs, Sixers needed someone to go all guns blazing and the skipper led from the front. 

Batting at 4, the 29-year-old racked up a fifty in just 18 balls and subsequently finished with 64* off 25 with five fours and fice sixes. She was complemented well by Ellyse Perry's 59*(41) and the Sixers finished at 162/2 in 16 overs.

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With this, Gardner created a record for the second-fastest fifty in the WBBL history. Only Tess Flintoff has scored a fifty in fewer deliveries.

Fastest fifties in WBBL history

1. Tess Flintoff (Melbourne Stars) - 16 balls vs Adelaide Strikers, 2022
2. Ashleigh Gardner (Sydney Sixers) - 18 balls vs Sydney Thunder, 2026*
3. Laura Harris (Brisbane Heat) - 18 balls vs Hobart Hurricanes, 2022

Ash Gardner's fiery form in WBBL 2026

Having previously scored 124 in just 60 balls against the Hobart Hurricanes, the Australian Women's vice-captain became the leading run-scorer in this edition of the WBBL. At 224 runs, she has a strike rate of 200 and averages 74.66 in WBBL 2026.

Gardner is one of only two players to go past 200 runs this season, with star Aussie allrounder, Ellyse Perry, being the other one (204). The Sixers captain has a whopping 16 sixes and 16 fours after 4 matches. The player with the next most sixes (Charli Knott) is at 7 sixes.

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