Australian women’s cricket team finds itself in unfamiliar territory: a trophy cabinet missing both the T20 and ODI World Cup titles.
After a dominant era of global supremacy between 2018 and 2023, back-to-back semi-final exits have raised questions about the team’s invincibility.
However, star all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner remains steadfast, insisting that while the trophies are gone, Australia’s status as the world’s best team is not.
Consistency Amidst Heartbreak
Gardner’s confidence is rooted in the numbers. Despite the disappointment of tournament play, Australia has remained remarkably consistent, maintaining its top spot in the ICC rankings.
“Over the last 12 to 18 months, we’ve only lost about two games, and I think the two games that we lost were both in semi-finals,” Gardner noted. To her, these weren’t signs of a systematic collapse, but rather a failure to execute in isolated, high-stakes moments.
The semi-final losses, first to South Africa in the 2024 T20 World Cup and more recently to India in the ODI World Cup, were attributed to “ill-discipline” and a failure to win “small moments.”
Gardner believes the path back to the podium doesn’t require a radical overhaul but rather a sharpening of the team’s mental resilience under pressure.
The Indian Challenge
The road to redemption begins in 50 days at the SCG. Australia is set to host a blockbuster multi-format series against the newly-crowned ODI World Cup champions, India.
This series represents more than just home-ground advantage; it is a chance to settle a brewing rivalry. India arrives with immense confidence after their recent global success and their semi-final victory over the Aussies.
Gardner acknowledges the threat but views the home conditions as a tactical edge. “They’re also coming over to our conditions, which we know better than them,” she said.
The focus for the squad, which will regather in February, will be on “performing under pressure” rather than changing their fundamental style of play.
Looking Toward June
Beyond the home summer, Gardner’s eyes are firmly fixed on June’s T20 World Cup in England.
With veteran leader Alyssa Healy entering the latter stages of her career, Gardner is increasingly seen as a future captaincy candidate. Her leadership will be vital as the team navigates this transition period.
Ultimately, Gardner’s message is one of calm authority. She believes the tools for success are already within the squad.
By refining their decision-making in “ebbs and flows” of the game, Australia aims to prove that their recent exits were merely a stumble, not a fall from grace. As Gardner puts it, it’s simply about “putting those pieces together” to bring the silver back home.
