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Gardner blasts her way to Test hopeful

Inspired by missing out in 2017, Ashleigh Gardner will aim to find a spot in Australia's Ashes Test XI in July.

Dynamic allrounder Ashleigh Gardner admits she wasn't ready for a Test call-up 18 months ago but if given a chance in the upcoming Commonwealth Bank Ashes Tour of England she won't curb her attacking instincts.

Gardner was named in Australia's 14-player squad for the multi-format campaign, with the highlight set to be the one-off Test match at Taunton from July 18

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The 22-year-old was a surprise omission from Australia's Test XI for the inaugural pink-ball Women's Ashes Test at North Sydney Oval in October 2017, which in ended in a stalemate after Ellyse Perry's magnificent double century.

But reflecting on the disappointment of being denied her Test debut 18 months ago, Gardner says she is a now more mature person and player should a maiden Baggy Green come her way in England. 

"Personally, I didn't think I was ready," Gardner said today in Sydney.

"It’s been two years since that (Test) and I know I've grown not only as a cricketer but a as a person and I know what I have to do to earn my spot."

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Gardner added: "It was obviously really disappointing not to be in that Test match being in Sydney where I grew up.

"That would have been a massive thing in my career. I was just 20 back then. That would have been an amazing thing to do.

"I think I've matured so much since then, just the way I go about my cricket. Off the field I'm more mature as well but I think on the field knowing I have more time than what I do. That was a massive thing back then."

Gardner has made her name in domestic and international cricket as one of the most explosive batters in the world.

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The right-hander boasts a T20 international strike rate of 130 and scored a whirlwind 114 from just 52 balls batting at No.3 for the Sydney Sixers in the Rebel WBBL in 2017.

While Test cricket traditionally lends itself to a certain level of restraint when it comes to strike rates and scoring, Gardner's instructions from the coaching staff – should she be selected – are quite the opposite.

"I've been told if I was to play in that game not to change what I do," she said.

"I think if I was to play in that game I would be coming in around No.7 … I've been told even if we're 5-50 not to change what I do because I feel like when I go into my shell that's when I don't play as well as I could, and I do things I wouldn't normally do.

"If the ball is in my spot to trust my instincts and go with it rather than stay in my shell and do things I wouldn't normally do."

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As it stands only Australia and England play Test cricket, a sole match every two years as part the biennial Ashes series that rotates between the host nations every Olympiad.

While the Australian team would love to see more Test cricket played, Gardner is realistic about the prospect of playing more red-ball games in the short term.

"I don't just think there's enough depth in international cricket at the moment for other countries to play," Gardner said.

"India is up to the standard to play a Test match but until we can get three or four more countries to be at that level there won't be more Test matches played.

"Hopefully with the game going forward we do play more Test match cricket and we can play more games in the Baggy Green because I know how treasured that is for Australian cricketers.

"That would definitely be the cherry on top. Representing your country in any format is really special. If I was to receive (a Baggy Green) then it would be an absolute on honour."

CommBank Ashes Tour of England

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Nicole Bolton, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Elyse Villani, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham

June 26: England Academy v Australia, Loughborough

June 28:  England Academy v Australia, Loughborough

July 2: First ODI, Grace Road, Leicester

July 4: Second ODI, Grace Road, Leicester

July 7:  Third ODI, St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury

July 11-13: England Academy v Australia, Marlborough College, Swindon

July 18-21: Only Test, The County Ground, Taunton

July 26: First T20, County Ground, Chelmsford

July 28: Second T20, The County Ground, Hove

July 31: Third T20, Bristol County Ground, Bristol

A Test victory is worth four points (two each for a draw), two points are awarded for ODI and T20 wins