Australia squad assembles in Melbourne ahead of three-match T20 showdown with New Zealand
Gardner ready to step up despite nerves
Allrounder Ashleigh Gardner is already feeling the nerves but says she'll be ready if called upon to make her Australia debut on the MCG this Friday.
The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars will field at least one debutant – and likely more – in the first T20 International against New Zealand, with Gardner a red-hot favourite to be handed her maiden cap after a stunning Rebel Women's Big Bash League campaign for the Sydney Sixers.
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The 19-year-old arrived in Melbourne on Monday with the reality of international selection sinking in once she joined up with her new Australia teammates.
"Coming into this environment is pretty exciting and also a little nerve wracking being with the likes of Meg Lanning and Alyssa Healy," Gardner said on Tuesday.
"If I do get to debut I think my nerves will be even greater than they are now.
"But I think (I'm ready) after the season I had, which was quite consistent and earned my selection.
"Hopefully I can fit well into the group and if I get to debut I'll put my best foot forward."
One factor in Gardner's favour as she adjusts to life in the Australian set up is the raft of familiar faces, with five fellow NSW Breakers players part of the 15-player T20 squad: Alex Blackwell, Alyssa Healy, Lauren Cheatle, Rene Farrell, and fellow uncapped player Sarah Aley, who was added to the squad as cover for Cheatle late last week.
"Having that support behind me is pretty special and Sarah getting that late call-up was awesome.
"She definitely deserves it and it'll be awesome if we debut on the same day."
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Gardner scored 414 runs batting at No.3 for the Sixers in WBBL|02, but given the wealth of batting talent in a line-up featuring the likes of Lanning, Healy, Elyse Villani and Beth Mooney, the teenager expects to feature a little further down the order than she's accustomed to.
"Hopefully I can play my natural game and I know if I'm feeling confident enough, I can go out there with a bit of freedom and bring my attacking ability into this side.
"Hopefully I'll bat in the top six but I don't know to be honest.
"My role would be someone who can go out there and hit as many boundaries as possible, so it depends on how the game is going.
"With players like Lanning and Villani in this team I don't think I slot in at three, I'm so happy to bat wherever."
Should Gardner play during this three-game T20 series, or during the one-day international series that will follow in New Zealand, she will be first Indigenous woman to do so since Faith Thomas played her first Test for Australia in February 1958.
Her position as a role model to young Indigenous players is one she takes seriously, and Gardner hopes to inspire the next generation if given the chance to don the green and gold.
"I love my culture, it's something I wear on my sleeve and to be the second-ever Indigenous female to represent my country would be an awesome thing.
"Hopefully I am seen as a role model in the Indigenous community and if I debut hopefully it shows young Indigenous kids they can achieve anything they put their minds to."
Also special would be the chance to step out for Australia for the first time at the MCG, having played at the MCG just twice before – both times during the WBBL|01 finals.
"Walking out there is so surreal. It's so big," she said.
"Melbourne always brings big crowds, especially for female sport, so having that support behind us will be immense.
"To hopefully make my debut on the MCG would be really special, so hopefully I get to do that."
The three T20s will be played as double-headers alongside the men’s KFC T20 INTL series against Sri Lanka, with all three matches to be broadcast live on Nine’s Wide World of Sports.
Australia v New Zealand T20s
17 February: MCG, Melbourne, 2.05pm AEDT
19 February: Kardinia Park, Geelong, 2.35pm AEDT
22 February: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, 2.05pm AEDT
Australia v New Zealand ODIs
26 February: Eden Park No.2, Auckland, 9am AEDT
2 March: Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, 9am AEDT
5 March: Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, 9am AEDT