Ashleigh Gardner, the 28-year-old Australian all-rounder, radiates unshakeable confidence as she eyes the 10th edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, set for England and Wales from June 12 to July 5, 2026.
After recent heartbreaks, including a semi-final exit to South Africa in the 2024 T20 World Cup and a stunning defeat to India in the 2025 ODI World Cup semi-final, Gardner insists Australia remains the benchmark. “I can sit here comfortably and say that I still believe that we’re the best team,” she told AAP.
“It’s just making sure that we’re showing that in those moments where it really matters.” With an upcoming all-format series against champions India as key preparation, Gardner’s words signal a fierce Australian resurgence.
Australia’s recent ICC struggles sting for a nation accustomed to dominance. In the 2024 T20 World Cup, hosted by Bangladesh but played in the UAE, stand-in skipper Tahlia McGrath led the defending champions to a crushing eight-wicket semi-final loss against Laura Wolvaardt’s South Africa on October 17 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Fast-forward to the 13th ICC Women’s ODI World Cup in India and Sri Lanka (September 30 to November 2, 2025), and Alyssa Healy’s side crumbled again in the second semi-final at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, on October 30.
India, under Harmanpreet Kaur and coach Amol Muzumdar, chased down the target of 339, with five wickets in hand, powered by Jemimah Rodrigues’ unbeaten 127 off 134 balls (14 boundaries) and Kaur’s gritty 89 off 88 (10 fours, 2 sixes). Rodrigues earned Player of the Match, propelling India to their maiden senior ICC title, a 52-run final win over South Africa at the same venue.
Yet Gardner refuses to dwell on setbacks. “The last couple of World Cups have been frustrating because of the way that they’ve ended,” she admitted. “But I’m certainly thinking about June next year, it seems like a long time away, but it realistically isn’t, and it’ll come around very quickly.”
She eyes minimal upheaval: “I think there’s not going to be too many dramatic changes. I don’t think there necessarily needs to be. It’s more those small moments that I don’t think we won and kind of letting the game go in ebbs and flows.”
Australia’s path sharpens with a blockbuster all-format tour by India from February 15 to March 9, 2026: three T20Is, three ODIs, and a one-off Test in Perth. These six white-ball clashes will test mettle ahead of the T20 World Cup, where Australia lands in Group A with India, Pakistan, South Africa, and two qualifiers from next month’s ICC event in Nepal.
Gardner’s maturity shines through her tactical insight, as she speaks about winning those small moments in the game. “Making sure that if those things do arise, we have the tools and capabilities to recognize it and the tools to get out of that,” she said.
“Everyone’s going to probably respond differently. But I would say overall it’s a pretty standard thing that we’re trying to achieve.” At 28, with her explosive off-spin and middle-order firepower, Gardner embodies Australia’s depth. Her resolve could spark the fire needed to reclaim the crown, all eyes now on 2026.
(Quotes sourced from AAP)
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