Photo Credit: Sydney Sixers
The Sydney Sixers have retained the services of superstar all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner, with the 25-year-old signing on for a further three years in magenta.
Today named the Weber WBBL|08 Player of the Tournament, Gardner continues to prove why she is one of the best in the world, dominating with both bat and ball this summer.
One of the competition’s most formidable power-hitters, the right-hander has notched 339 runs (averaging 30.81), currently sitting fifth on the list of run-scorers for WBBL|08.
The 25-year-old matched her performance with ball in hand, finishing the regular season as the league’s equal-leading wicket taker, alongside Megan Schutt.
Her 23 wicket haul this season more than doubles her previous best of 11 scalps in WBBL|05, highlighted by career best figures of 4-23 against the Hobart Hurricanes.
A two-time WBBL champion and foundation member of the club, Gardner stepped into a new role this summer, adding yet another string to her bow, elected Sixers vice-captain.
Making her debut in magenta in WBBL|01, the fresh-faced 19-year-old made an immediate impact, collecting 213 runs in her first season.
In the years since, the crafty spinner has firmly cemented herself as one of the most dominant players to ever pull on the Sixers colours.
Currently sitting eighth on the list of all-time run-scorers with 2215 runs to her name, Gardner’s high-score of 114 remains the second-best knock in WBBL history.
Additionally, her 65 career wickets put her just outside the top 20 wicket-takers in the game.
The all-rounder’s ability to score runs and take wickets is matched only by her athleticism and skill in the field, staking claim on some of the most thrilling catches in the competition’s eight-year history.
A proud Muruwari woman, Gardner is a powerful role model both on and off the field, advocating for First Nations people and culture and driving positive change through her work with the Ashleigh Gardner Foundation.
Head of Sydney Sixers, Jonathan Robinson-Lees was delighted to see Gardner put pen to paper for another three seasons.
“Ashleigh is one of the most in-form players in the world.
“She is a foundation member of the Sydney Sixers, and we are thrilled to have her recommit to the club for a further three years.” Robinson-Lees said.
“Ashleigh is a proven performer on-field and a fantastic person off it. We have seen her step seamlessly into the vice-captaincy role this season, and we know she will continue to be an important leader within our team.
“We know how excited our fans will be to see her at the Sixers for another three years!”
The all-rounder will look to add a third WBBL trophy to her list of accolades on Saturday afternoon when the Sixers host the Weber WBBL|08 Final at North Sydney Oval.
Name of Author: Sydney Sixers
The Sydney Sixers are an Australian professional Twenty20 cricket team competing in the Big Bash League (BBL). Based at the Sydney Cricket Ground, the Sixers, along with the Sydney Thunder, succeeded the New South Wales Blues from the now-defunct KFC Twenty20 Big Bash.
