Australia have spent the better part of the last decade setting the standard in women’s cricket. Six ICC Women’s T20 World Cup titles, countless bilateral triumphs and an aura that makes them favourites every time they step onto the field have become the norm. Yet, for the first time in years, they arrived at a global tournament without either the ODI or T20 World Cup trophy in their possession.
That unfamiliar position has done little to dent their confidence. Five victories from five matches have taken Australia into another ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final, where they will meet unbeaten hosts England at Lord’s on Sunday. Chasing a record-extending seventh T20 world title, Australia have once again found different players stepping up at crucial moments, a hallmark of their sustained dominance.
Among those peaking at the right time is Ash Gardner. The all-rounder entered the tournament searching for greater consistency after admitting she had not made the impact she expected, particularly with the ball. But successive unbeaten knocks of 53 and 35, followed by a decisive spell of 2/13 in the semi-final against West Indies, have ensured she heads into the final in excellent touch.
Looking back at Australia’s campaign, Gardner said the team’s strength had been its collective contribution rather than reliance on one or two individuals.
“We’ve played some really good cricket so far, and different people have stood up at different times. So, it’s always a nice thing to take some momentum going into a final and then hopefully, no doubt, in front of a packed-out Lord’s… we’re going to be doing all of our homework before that game and making sure that we’re really confident going forward.”
Gardner’s own performances have reflected that gradual build-up. After feeling she had been slightly inconsistent during the group stage, particularly in her bowling role, the 29-year-old simplified her approach before the knockout stages. Against West Indies, she repeatedly attacked the stumps on a surface offering variable bounce, breaking the game open after the Caribbean side had raced away in the powerplay.
Explaining the shift in her mindset, Gardner said the solution was far less complicated than many might imagine. “It was probably more of a mindset thing. I feel like I just tried to make my game really simple, focus on looking at the stumps when I was bowling. That sounds really silly, but I feel like when I was narrowing my focus, I guess I could execute a little bit better.”
Australia’s journey over the past 18 months has been unusual by their own lofty standards. After years of collecting ICC trophies almost routinely, they lost both the ODI and T20 World Cups, prompting questions about whether the sport’s dominant force was beginning to lose its grip. Inside the dressing room Gardner insists the belief has never wavered.
She acknowledged that the outside world expects Australia to win every tournament but said the players themselves have embraced those expectations rather than viewing them as added pressure. She also pointed to the work the squad has done away from cricket to strengthen team culture, something she believes has been equally important in their return to another world final.
“We have the belief that we are the best team, and I guess having that belief is just part of it… We’ve done a lot of work off the field as a team and had a lot of buy-in for that as well. So, I feel like when the units in a really good place, everyone’s enjoying themselves.”
Standing in Australia’s way are an England side that has matched them stride for stride throughout the tournament. Nat Sciver-Brunt’s team has also won all five of its matches and will have the backing of a packed Lord’s crowd as it looks to maintain its remarkable record of winning every Women’s World Cup staged on home soil. For Gardner, the occasion is one she has imagined many times before.
“You have these dreams and these hopes that you see yourself standing on one of the balconies at Lord’s lifting up that trophy in front of some fans. But you’ve got to think about all the things that you need to do first. Hopefully that’s what happens. Bring it on.”
If Australia are to reclaim the Women’s T20 World Cup crown, Gardner’s all-round influence could once again prove decisive. And after rediscovering her rhythm at exactly the right time, she heads into the biggest game of the tournament ready to help Australia return to familiar territory as world champions.
Loves all things female cricket