With appearances in several ICC tournament-winning teams, including the 2022 ODI World Cup, the 2023 T20 World Cup, and the gold medal-winning Commonwealth Games team, Ashleigh Gardner and Alana King, an Australian tandem, have played a crucial role in Australia’s supremacy in world cricket.
Having played together for Australia, where their combined efforts have destroyed some of the top batting lineups, their friendship goes beyond the pitch.
The pair demonstrated their bowling skills in the 2024–25 Ashes series, sharing six wickets in a single match and demonstrating how deadly they can be when working together, but are now in different teams in the WPL.
“If I wanted to go to someone in the cricketing world, Alana King is probably one of my best mates who understands me very well. She probably understands me the best out of any of my mates. In terms of friends, she’s probably the first person I’d go to,” said Ashleigh Gardner about her close friendship with fellow Australian cricketer Alana King.
King, who’s services was secured for INR 30 by UP Warriorz, has been a vital spinner for the club, contributing her expertise and skill to the attack effort. Gardner, who was roped in by the Gujarat Giants for INR 3.20 crore, has been a game-winner, hitting 202 runs at an incredible strike rate of 169.74 in five games and taking six wickets.
In their most recent WPL match, Gujarat Giants defeated UP Warriorz by a commanding six wickets owing to Gardner’s outstanding all-around performance, which included 52 off 32 balls and 2/39.
It will be interesting to observe the battle between Gardner and King as they get ready to meet each other once more. Their rivalry on the pitch will add another chapter to their already celebrated cricketing adventure, as both teams are eager for a victory to raise their standings.
In a pivotal match on March 3 at Lucknow’s Ekana Cricket Stadium, the two friends will give it their all for their respective team’s as it could determine their team’s fate in the WPL 2025.
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