A decade after leading the Sydney Sixers through their golden years in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), Ellyse Perry has officially passed on the captaincy baton to Ashleigh Gardner — marking a generational shift in the magenta camp. The transition, confirmed ahead of WBBL 11, represents both continuity and renewal for one of the league’s most storied franchises.
Under Perry’s leadership, the Sixers became one of the most dominant sides in WBBL history, clinching two championships and setting the standard for professionalism and consistency in women’s domestic cricket. But after failing to qualify for the finals in the last two seasons, the team has opted for a reset under newly appointed head coach Matthew Mott, with Gardner at the helm.
Perry, who turned 35 earlier this week, remains central to the Sixers’ plans but has embraced the timing of the transition — one that ensures leadership continuity while she continues to play an active role in mentoring the next generation.
At 28, Gardner represents the Sixers’ future. A foundational player and homegrown talent, she has already left a deep mark on the club’s history. Across 135 matches, she has amassed 2,607 runs and claimed 102 wickets, making her the Sixers’ all-time leading wicket-taker and their third-highest run-scorer, behind only Perry and Alyssa Healy.
Her commitment to the club remains unwavering — she recently signed a two-year contract extension that will keep her in magenta until the end of WBBL 13, while Perry is contracted for another three years.
Speaking after her appointment, Gardner shared her pride and gratitude for the club that shaped her career, “I’m honoured to be appointed captain of the Sydney Sixers, a club I’ve proudly represented for my whole career,” Gardner said.
She reflected on the leadership lessons learned from two of the game’s most respected figures, “Over the past decade I’ve learned from some amazing leaders, including Pez (Perry) and Midge (Healy) at the Sixers, and I can’t wait to lead the team in WBBL 11.”
Gardner’s credentials extend far beyond the Sixers. She has been a key figure in Australia’s world-conquering teams, winning four World Cups and twice earning the prestigious Belinda Clark Award.
In recent years, she has steadily built an impressive leadership résumé across global T20 leagues. The Sixers are now the third T20 side to appoint her captain this year, following the Gujarat Giants in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) — who re-signed her on November 6 — and the Trent Rockets in The Hundred.
Under her captaincy, both teams flourished. Gardner guided the Giants to their first-ever playoffs appearance in the WPL, while the Rockets finished fourth, with four wins out of eight matches. She has also captained the Governor-General’s XI in a 50-over clash against Pakistan in 2023 and served as vice-captain during Australia’s T20I tour of New Zealand earlier this year.
The November 9 clash against the Perth Scorchers at the WACA will mark Gardner’s first official outing as full-time captain. However, she has already experienced leading the Sixers once before — in the opening game of 2023, when Perry was unavailable due to a slow over-rate ban.
Among those most delighted to see Gardner step up is Rachael Haynes, the Sixers’ General Manager and former Australia teammate. Having witnessed Gardner’s rise from a junior cricketer to one of the world’s most influential players, Haynes expressed full confidence in her leadership, “Ash has grown immensely as a leader; she’s a phenomenal player and will be instrumental in the future success of the club,” Haynes said.
For Perry, the moment is one of gratitude and fulfillment. After ten years of captaining the Sixers, she leaves the leadership role richer in experience and perspective, “It’s been an immense pleasure to have the opportunity to lead the Sixers over the last ten years,” Perry said.
She added that the journey had exceeded all her expectations and offered invaluable lessons, “The role has given me so much joy and fulfilment, more so than I ever would have imagined and I have benefited so much from all the experiences and learning opportunities it has given me over that time.”
Gardner’s elevation comes on the back of a stellar international campaign. In the recently concluded World Cup in India, she was named in the Team of the Tournament, amassing 328 runs at an average of 82 and taking 7 wickets — underlining her match-winning prowess. She is also among the nominees for the ICC Player of the Month for October.
As Gardner prepares to lead a rejuvenated Sixers unit, the team will miss the services of Alyssa Healy in their opening game due to a thumb injury. Nonetheless, the squad enters WBBL 11 brimming with optimism — led by a captain whose rise has mirrored the evolution of women’s cricket itself.
With experience, form, and a deep connection to the magenta, Ashleigh Gardner now stands at the forefront of a new chapter — ready to guide the Sixers into their next era of success.
(Quotes sourced from cricket.com.au)
Loves all things female cricket