Reflecting on the contest, Gardner said the match was entertaining and highlighted the batting-friendly nature of the surface. She admitted that the Giants were aware early on that a big total was required to stay competitive in a match where 404 runs were scored in just 40 overs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt was a fantastic game for everyone who came out to watch, and it showed just how high-scoring this ground can be. By around the 11-over mark, I felt we probably needed close to 200,\u201d Gardner said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Giants eventually crossed the 200-run mark, a target Gardner felt became competitive despite the Warriorz mounting a strong chase led by Phoebe Litchfield.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cPhoebe hit the ball beautifully from ball one, and we knew that would be a competitive target,\u201d she added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Gardner praised her side\u2019s fielding as a decisive factor in the outcome, while acknowledging there were areas to improve with both bat and ball.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe bowled well in patches, and there are plenty of learnings with both bat and ball, but I thought our fielding was excellent and that might have made the difference in the end. I\u2019m really proud of how we started,\u201d she said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Australian all-rounder reserved special praise for debutant Anushka Sharma, with whom she shared a crucial 103-run partnership.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cShe\u2019s such a special player. I\u2019d only seen her bat in the nets before, so to spend time out in the middle with her was really pleasing. She keeps the game simple but also opens up different areas of the ground, and for someone so young to be brave enough to do that is impressive,\u201d Gardner noted.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Gardner also credited her bowling unit for handling pressure situations, particularly against Litchfield, whose wicket proved a turning point.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cShe\u2019s such a special player. I\u2019d only seen her bat in the nets before, so to spend time out in the middle with her was really pleasing. She keeps the game simple but also opens up different areas of the ground, and for someone so young to be brave enough to do that is impressive,\u201d Gardner noted.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Gardner played an amazing knock of 65 runs in just 41 balls. She started her innings at a measured pace, focusing on building a partnership with Anushka. The skipper then changed gears in the 13th over by striking three fours off four balls from Kranti Gaud. The 28-year-old then smashed four sixes and one boundary in her next eight balls to complete her first fifty of the season in 31 deliveries.<\/p>\r\n\r\n