AUS W vs NZ W | Horrible clash rules Ash Gardner out of series with concussion

Just moments before the first T20I of the three-match series against New Zealand, Australia women all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner suffered a bad knock in the warm-up. In the warm-up, while playing Aussie rules football, Gardner ran towards Georgia Wareham while chasing the ball before the collision.  

Gardner has had a terrible history of concussions, having suffered four of them in the space of 20 months. In 2020, the all-rounder suffered yet another bout of concussion while fielding for Sydney Sixers in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) against Adelaide Strikers. 

"Ash Gardner suffered a hit in the jaw as a result of a collision during the warm-up and is unavailable for tonight's match,” Cricket Australia released a statement. 

Not just that, Australia are also without the duo of Kim Garth and Grace Harris, who are expected to return back before the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). 

"Kim Garth is progressing well with her rehab following a knee injury sustained at the back end of the Hundred. She has resumed training. She is not available for selection for this series but is on track to be available for the World Cup,” read the statement. 

"Grace Harris sustained a very low grade right calf strain earlier this week while completing her return from a significant left calf injury in the off season. She will be unavailable for the NZ series but all going well we expect she will be available for the World Cup."

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