Indigenous teenager set for historic first

Sydney Sixers youngster Ashleigh Gardner says it would be a special moment if she was selected to be the first Indigenous woman to debut for Australia in almost 60 years. 

Off the back of a stunning Rebel Women’s Big Bash League season with the champion Sixers, Gardner was included in the Commonwealth Bank South Stars squads for the ODI and T20 series against New Zealand next month. 

Quick Single: Perry ruled out, historic first looms

Gardner captained the first Indigenous Australian women’s cricket team on their tour to India in May last year and says her selection would have a large impact on the indigenous community.

“It’s such a special moment if that (national selection) was to happen, being able to represent my people back home, not just my normal community by the wider community,” Gardner said on Tuesday. 

“So all the Indigenous people that are hopefully looking up to me, all the younger kids. 

“Whatever you want to do you’ve got to stay determined and you can achieve whatever you want to do.

“It (Indigenous cricket) is only going to get bigger and better from here. 

“They (Cricket Australia) put more money into Indigenous cricket so hopefully in the next couple of years you’ll see a whole lot more male and females representing their country. 

“Hopefully more girls and boys can put the green and gold on.”

Quick Single: Gardner has 'come of age': Lanning

If the 19-year-old is selected she would be the first Indigenous woman to debut for Australia since Faith Thomas (née Coulthard) made her Test debut in 1958 against England in Melbourne. 

“I have met her on a couple of occasions,” Gardner said. “We never seem to talk about the cricketing side of things, she’s always telling me other stories. 

“I know she was the first-ever female Indigenous cricketer to travel overseas and that’s a pretty special thing for her and if I was to do it would be just as special.”

Gardner was named the Rebel WBBL Young Gun for scoring 414 runs and capturing 10 wickets as the Sixers won the title after falling in the final last summer, and will join some familiar faces in the Stars set up. 

“It’s a massive honour to be named in that side alongside the likes of (Sixers teammates) Alyssa Healy," she said.

“It’s a dream come true and hopefully (there’s) bigger and better things from now.

“It’s been a massive week. Winning the WBBL is what we were striving for all year and also being the Young Gun of the year is also a massive achievement. 

“There’s so many girls around the country similar to my age doing awesome things as well and to be honoured as the Young Gun of the year is pretty special.”

Gardner is a hard-hitting allrounder who bowls off-spin, just like her idol growing up Andrew Symonds.

Quick Single: Australia's ODI lower-order legends

“I tried to take some of things he did in his game – an attacking batter, attacking bowler and just as well in the field – I tried to not copy him but definitely use some things that he was doing,” she said. 

“When I was younger I was bowling medium pace and I wasn’t a big fan of it. 

“Once I did realise that Andrew did bowl off-spin that was one of the reasons why I did change. 

“Also it’s a bit lazy as well – a seven-step run-up instead of 14.”

While she’s well on her way to emulating her hero’s feats in international cricket, Gardner was blunt when asked if she would mimic the zinc lipstick and dreadlocks Symonds sported during his career.

“Definitely not.”