Big Blow For THIS Side As Australia All-Rounder Ruled Out With Fractured Finger

In what comes as a body blow for the Australian Women’s side, the team’s star all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner has been ruled out of the remainder of the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand Women with a fractured finger.

Gardner started the first T20I, which Australia won by 8 wickets, but left the field mid-way through her spell in the first innings after being struck by a powerful stroke from the bat of Sophie Devine. The 27-year-old attempted a return catch but ended up hurting herself in the process. She left the field immediately after, and was not required to bat as the top four got the job done.

Uncapped all-rounder Charli Knott has hence been called up for the remainder of the series. Knott, 22, primarily a batter that can bowl off-spin, had an outstanding Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) season for Queensland, for whom she smashed 556 runs at an average of 50.54 and a strike rate of 90.40. She’s made 59 appearances in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) for Brisbane Heat Women as well.

For the last two T20Is of the series, Ellyse Perry will serve as the side’s vice-captain in Gardner’s absence. Tahlia McGrath is the stand-in captain in the absence of Alyssa Healy.