Australia’s women’s cricket team has taken a precautionary step by banning a pre-game warm-up drill that nearly cost allrounder Ashleigh Gardner her spot in the upcoming T20 World Cup. Gardner, known for her fierce bowling and hard-hitting, suffered an injury scare in a warm-up drill before the first T20I match against New Zealand.
Gardner’s injury scare
The mishap occurred when Gardner and teammate Georgia Wareham collided while attempting to catch a ‘Vortex’ ball during a warm-up session. The collision left Gardner in visible distress, fearing another concussion a recurring issue in her career. Initially brushing off the incident with laughter, Gardner soon left the field in tears, worried about the potential for a serious injury that could derail her career once again.
Gardner has dealt with a series of concussions in the past, with four occurring within a span of just 20 months. After her fourth head injury, she consulted a neuropsychologist in 2018 to manage the long-term effects of these concussions. Given her history, the recent injury scare naturally raised alarm bells for both her and the team.
Impact on Australia’s WC plans
When Gardner took to the field for the second T20I, she made her presence known. With a stunning bowling performance, she took 3 wickets for just 16 runs, leading Australia to a 29-run victory over New Zealand. Her resilience and ability to bounce back after the scare have once again proven why she is one of Australia’s most valuable players.
“It’s been nice to get back out there after a weird occasion, a head collision in a warm-up,” she said. “It was weird to wrap my head around, but I’ve felt really good the last couple of days. I’ve had a lot of head knocks in the past; I know when I am concussed and when I’m not. That’s the end of the Vortex for the rest of the tour,” Gardner said, reflecting on the unusual and dangerous collision that nearly jeopardized her participation in the World Cup.
With repeated concussions becoming more prevalent in sports, athletes like Gardner are increasingly turning to neuropsychologists for guidance. Gardner’s experience underscores the importance of understanding the mental and neurological aspects of recovery. Consulting experts has become essential for players to ensure they are fully fit to play.
Australia’s batting challenges
While Gardner’s bowling shone, Australia’s batting line-up struggled in the second T20I. Despite a promising start from captain Alyssa Healy, who scored 38 off 25 balls, the team suffered a dramatic collapse, losing their last seven wickets for just 28 runs. Gardner’s challenge to the batters to step up in the third T20I is crucial as they look to fine-tune their game before heading to the World Cup.
Gardner has urged her fellow batters to “fill their boots” and post a commanding total in the third T20I. With a line-up as deep as Australia’s, there’s no reason they shouldn’t dominate with the bat. Gardner is confident that improvements will be made before the World Cup.
“There’s still a lot left in the tank; hopefully in this last game if we do bat first, we can put a massive total on the board,” she said.
The upcoming World Cup in Dubai presents new challenges for the Australian team. Having never played in the region, Gardner acknowledges that the team will be stepping into unfamiliar territory. However, their performance in the T20I series suggests they are up for the challenge.
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