Ashleigh Gardner Withdrawn from NZ T20Is, Charli Knott Steps In
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Synopsis
Tauranga, March 22 (NationPress) Ashleigh Gardner has been ruled out for the remainder of Australia's T20I tour of New Zealand due to a finger injury, leading to the selection of uncapped Charli Knott from Brisbane Heat as her replacement.
Key Takeaways
- Ashleigh Gardner is out of the NZ T20Is due to injury.
- Charli Knott called up as her replacement.
- Knott had a stellar domestic season, scoring 542 runs.
- Gardner will seek further medical advice upon returning to Sydney.
- The second T20I is scheduled for Sunday at Bay Oval.
Tauranga, March 22 (NationPress) Ashleigh Gardner has been sidelined for the remainder of Australia's T20I series in New Zealand due to a finger injury, prompting the inclusion of uncapped Brisbane Heat and Queensland all-rounder Charli Knott as her replacement.
Gardner exited the field immediately after being hit on her right index finger while trying to catch a powerful return shot from Sophie Devine during the 17th over of Friday's opening T20I in Auckland. Subsequent scans revealed a fracture in her finger. Gardner is set to undergo additional scans and consult a specialist upon her return to Sydney.
As the vice-captain under Tahlia McGrath during this tour, Gardner's replacement for Sunday's second T20I has yet to be determined.
Knott, a 22-year-old off-spin bowling all-rounder, has received her first call-up to the Australia squad following a remarkable domestic season. In the 2024-25 Women's National Cricket League, she ranked as the fourth-highest run scorer, amassing 542 runs at an average of 54.2, which included her inaugural WNCL century - a match-winning 110 against South Australia at Adelaide Oval.
Knott also achieved scores of 87 not out, 79 not out, 62, and 58. Her 542 runs were the highest by any player from Queensland in a single WNCL season, making her the second player from the Fire to surpass the 500-run mark in a season, following Georgia Redmayne.
In addition to her batting prowess, Knott also claimed 12 wickets at an average of 28.66, marking her best all-round season in domestic one-day cricket. Her outstanding form carried over to the WBBL 10, where she accumulated 187 runs and took six wickets for Brisbane Heat.
Thanks to her strong performances, Knott was selected for the Australia A squad for the forthcoming multi-format series against England A, which is set to start in Sydney next week. She will rejoin the Australia A group after the third T20I against New Zealand in Wellington.
The second T20I is scheduled to take place at Bay Oval in Tauranga on Sunday, with Knott anticipated to join the Australian squad on Saturday.
Alana King is expected to fill Gardner's position in the Australia XI, after being unexpectedly omitted from Friday's opener despite her crucial role in the Ashes series. Knott will join Nicole Faltum as the two uncapped players in the squad.
Australia will strive for a series victory in the second T20I following their eight-wicket win against New Zealand in the first match.
