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In a major blow to the Australia women’s cricket team, regular allrounder Ashleigh Gardner has been excluded from the rest of the T20I tour of New Zealand because of a broken right index finger. The incident happened in the first T20I game against Auckland when Gardner tried to take a fierce return from New Zealand’s Sophie Devine, prompting on-the-spot first aid and following scans confirming the break. With Gardner returning to Sydney for more evaluation and treatment, uncapped Queensland allrounder has been brought in as her replacement.
A shocking blow: Ashleigh Gardner’s injury
Gardner’s tragic injury occurred during the 17th over of the game, where she was bowling and tried to take a catch that came back at her with immense power. The blow was bad enough to require urgent attention from the medical staff, and while she was able to bowl a handful of overs, it was apparent that she would not be able to continue in the series once scans revealed the break. This is not just a personal setback for Gardner but also presents a problem for the Australian side as they seek to build on their recent momentum in the series against New Zealand.
Australia had convincingly won the first T20I by a margin of eight wickets with Gardner’s support for a limited time before injury. The side easily chased the total of New Zealand, 137/2 with Beth Mooney and Georgia Voll scoring half-centuries to lead the show. Gardner will be sorely missed, as she was a crucial player on the field in addition to the role of being vice-captain under the leadership of Tahlia McGrath.
A rising star receives the maiden call-up
Following Gardner’s injury, selectors have looked to Charli Knott, an uncapped Queensland allrounder, who has been making waves in domestic cricket this summer. Knott’s performance in the Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) was impressive as she became the fourth highest run-scorer of the season, scoring 542 runs at a strike rate of 54.2. Her highlight was when she made her first WNCL century—a match-winning 110 against South Australia—proving she has what it takes to be a valuable national team asset.
Knott’s pick is not only an acknowledgment of her current form but also a sign of Cricket Australia‘s desire to develop young players in the team. Her all-round ability—having taken 12 wickets at 28.66—makes her a thrilling inclusion as Australia gear up for the coming games.
A shift in leadership: Who will step up?
With Gardner out, there are questions about leadership on the field. Ellyse Perry will be called upon to fill the deputy position for captain McGrath while Gardner is out. Perry’s experience will be important as Australia look to win a series against New Zealand, whom they are currently leading 1-0 after their first game.
Besides that, Alana King is also expected to replace Gardner in the playing XI after being shockingly left out of the opening match even though she played well throughout the Ashes series. King’s addition would help strengthen Australia’s bowling line-up as they head into what is set to be a closely contested second T20I at Tauranga’s Bay Oval.
Also READ: Fans erupt as Beth Mooney sizzles in Australia’s dominant win over New Zealand in the first Women’s T20I
Australia on their path to victory against series
The Australian side is preparing for their next encounter against New Zealand on Sunday. Following their commanding victory in the first game, in which they chased 138 runs quite comfortably, there is hope regarding their ability to seal the series early. But players such as Mooney have stressed that there is still scope for improvement, especially in the field and acclimatization to local conditions.
Mooney noted post-match that while they performed well overall, there were lapses in concentration that could be addressed before facing New Zealand again.
” I think if we’re being really critical, we probably let a few runs go at the back end in the field, just a few uncharacteristic misfields and things like that,” she said in the post-match presentation, hinting at confidence in their ability to perform well on familiar grounds.
With Australia going through this tour missing one of its mainstays, the spotlight will be on Knott and King to step up and make their contributions count. The second T20I will not only put their depth to the test but also be a platform for Australia’s rising stars in women’s cricket.
Also READ: NZ-W vs AUS-W, 2025: New Zealand’s best playing XI for the T20I series against Australia
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
