The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the winner of the ICC Player of the Month award for February 2023, with Australia’s Ashleigh Gardner named the ICC Women’s Player of the Month on Monday, 13 March 2023.
Gardner received the award after a series of outstanding performances inspired Australia’s successful defence of their Women’s T20 World Cup crown in South Africa. Taking regular wickets and chipping in with valuable runs throughout, she reinforced her status as the number one ranked T20I all-rounder in the MRF Tyres ICC Women’s Player Rankings, eventually capping a prolific campaign with the Player of the Tournament prize.
Gardner’s tournament was littered with important contributions, and she excelled from the outset in the thrilling drama that characterised the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
In the opening match against a typically dangerous New Zealand side, she produced a dazzling bowling performance, taking five wickets for 12 runs to dismantle the White Ferns’ chase, and restrict them to a modest 76 all out in pursuit of Australia’s 173.
With a total of 10 wickets during the tournament at an average of 12.50, the wicket-taking threat and impressive economy rate of Gardner continued to cause problems for opposing batters, but her contributions extended beyond just her bowling exploits.
Scoring 110 runs across five innings, her most telling contributions with the bat came in the latter stages. Faced with a below-par score in the semi-final, Gardner smashed a valuable 31 in 18 balls to take Australia to 172 for four, enough to keep India at bay and secure victory by five runs. Then, chipping in with a crucial 29 in the Final, and claiming the prized wicket of Marizanne Kapp with the ball, Gardner was named the Player of the Tournament while her and her teammates celebrated another T20 World Cup trophy.
Gardner claims the ICC Women’s Player of the Month from two other stars of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup; England power-hitter Nat Sciver, and South Africa’s talented opener Laura Wolvaardt, who were both nominated for strong campaigns.
On reclaiming the ICC Women’s Player of the Month prize, Gardner commented: “Thank you to everyone who voted me the ICC Women’s Player of the Month. The past month has been ground-breaking for women’s cricket and it’s an exciting time for our sport.
“The T20 World Cup was a brilliant tournament, and playing the hosts South Africa in the Final in front of a packed crowd at Newlands was an incredible experience.
“Our Australian team are fortunate to have a number of world-class players, I’m happy I was able to contribute to our team success over the course of the World Cup.”
Photo 1 Caption: Australia’s Ashleigh Gardner pictured at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa. Photo: ICC
With editing by gsport / Article from ICC media release
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