Australia suffer injury setback as key all-rounder ruled out of remaining New Zealand T20Is
Australia have called up an uncapped all-rounder as cover for the final two T20Is of the three-match series.
Ashleigh Gardner has been ruled out of the remainder of the New Zealand tour after scans confirmed she fractured her right index finger during the first T20I on Friday in Auckland, Cricket Australia announced.
Gardner left the field in the 17th over after injuring herself while attempting a return catch off her own bowling, with Sophie Devine striking the ball powerfully back at her. Australia’s dominant top-order performance meant she was not required to bat in the chase.
She will now undergo further scans and seek specialist advice upon her return to Sydney.
WATCH: Revisit the best of Ash Gardner from Women's T20 World Cup 2023
Best of Ash Gardner | Women's T20WC 2023
In Gardner’s absence, uncapped all-rounder Charli Knott has earned her maiden international call-up ahead of the second T20I on Sunday, 23 March.
The 22-year-old from Queensland has been rewarded for her strong domestic form, having amassed 542 runs and claimed 12 wickets in the 2024–25 Women’s National Cricket League season. She carried that momentum into the 10th edition of the Women’s Big Bash League, where she scored 187 runs and took six wickets for Brisbane Heat.
Australia’s updated T20 squad: Tahlia McGrath (c), Darcie Brown, Nicole Faltum, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Alana King, Charli Knott, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham.
Australia made light work of New Zealand’s 137/2 in the first T20I, cruising to victory in just 13.3 overs. Melie Kerr anchored the innings with an unbeaten 51 off 46 balls, while former captain Sophie Devine contributed 39, though the pair struggled to accelerate during the middle overs.
In contrast, Australia’s chase was relentless, with openers Beth Mooney (75*) and Georgia Voll (50) forged a dominant 123-run partnership off just 66 balls to seal a convincing win and put the hosts 1-0 up in the series.