Ashleigh Gardner is a standout Australian cricketer and a celebrated all-rounder known for her match-winning performances across formats. She is also recognized for her leadership and advocacy as an openly gay athlete.
Ashleigh Gardner stands out as one of the most dynamic and compelling cricketers from Australia. She first stepped onto the international stage in 2017, joining the Australian women's national cricket team, and quickly cemented her role as a vital player. By 2022, she had been honored as Australia’s best women’s cricketer, thanks to her consistent ability to turn matches in her team’s favor. Whether on the field or off, Gardner’s impact is unmistakable—she possesses a rare talent for single-handedly securing victories for her side. As a versatile all-rounder, Ashleigh Gardner has played a pivotal role in helping Australia clinch multiple major tournaments. Her performances were especially instrumental during the Women’s ODI World Cup in 2022 and the Women’s T20 World Cup in 2018 and 2020, where she also earned the title of best player in one of the finals. Ashleigh Gardner identifies as a homosexual woman. She has been in a committed relationship with her partner, Monica Wright, since 2021. Following Australia’s victory in the Women’s T20 World Cup in 2023, Gardner and Wright exchanged marriage vows. Ashleigh Gardner represents the Gujarat Giants in the Women’s Premier League (WPL). She also led the Gujarat Giants as captain in the recently concluded WPL 2025, guiding the team to improved results compared to its previous season. During WPL 2025, the accomplished all-rounder contributed 243 runs in 9 matches and claimed 8 wickets. Here are Ashleigh Gardner’s international debut dates: WTest: July 18, 2019 vs ENG-W at Taunton WODI: March 2, 2017 vs NZ-W at Mount Maunganui WT20I: February 17, 2017 vs NZ-W at Melbourne Ashleigh Gardner has not shared any details about her religious beliefs in public, so no information is available regarding her faith. In terms of her ethnic background, she is of Aboriginal Australian descent and is a member of the Muruwari community. Born in Bankstown, Sydney, Ashleigh Gardner’s journey toward becoming a professional cricketer began in her early years. Much of her childhood was spent at a boarding school in Orange due to the loss of her mother at a very young age and the subsequent passing of her foster parents. Despite these challenges, her family provided strong support during the early stages of her cricketing career. Her father, Jim Gardner, played a crucial role in introducing her to the sport of cricket. He enrolled her in the Revesby Workers Cricket Club in New South Wales, where her passion for the game began to flourish. Ashleigh Gardner’s mother, Katherine Goodwin, passed away just five days after her birth, which meant her upbringing involved foster care and boarding school life. She has one older brother named Aaron Gardner, who has been a significant source of encouragement throughout her cricketing journey. The two often played cricket together in their backyard as children, which sparked Ashleigh’s lifelong love for the game. Ashleigh Gardner does not have any sisters; her only sibling is her brother. She is not active on Facebook, using only X and Instagram. Although some unofficial accounts exist under her name, none are managed by her personally. Ashleigh Gardner wears jersey number 63, a choice made to honor her cricketing idol, Shane Warne. Before marrying her current partner, Ashleigh Gardner was previously in a relationship with Bridget Patterson. As a prominent figure in women’s cricket, she has frequently made headlines for being among the openly gay athletes in the sport. Ashleigh Gardner is married to Monica Wright, her long-term partner. The couple began dating in 2021 and tied the knot on April 7, 2025, in a beautifully arranged ceremony. Thus, Monica Wright is Ashleigh Gardner’s spouse. As of 2025, Ashleigh Gardner’s net worth is estimated to be approximately $3–4 million. Her earnings primarily come from her central contract with Cricket Australia and participation in various global cricket leagues. Her annual income from the Australian central contract ranges between $110,000 and $140,000. In the WPL, she earns ₹3.20 crore, while her annual earnings from the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) are around $133,000. Her total net worth also includes income from brand endorsements and sponsorship agreements. Ashleigh Gardner is a seasoned all-rounder for the Australian team, delivering strong performances since her international debut. She made her Test debut on July 18, 2019, against the England women’s team in Taunton. She debuted in WODI on March 2, 2017, against New Zealand women in Mount Maunganui, and made her WT20I debut on February 17, 2017, against New Zealand women in Melbourne. Ashleigh Gardner is a highly effective all-rounder capable of contributing significantly with both bat and ball. In seven Test matches for Australia, she has claimed 28 wickets and scored 325 runs. In 82 ODIs, she has amassed 1,442 runs and taken 105 wickets. In T20 internationals, she has played 96 matches, scoring 1,411 runs and taking 78 wickets. In the Women’s Premier League (WPL), Ashleigh Gardner has scored a total of 567 runs in 25 matches, maintaining a strike rate of 141.75 and an average of 24.65. Her WPL batting includes five half-centuries. With the ball, she has taken 25 wickets in 25 matches at an economy rate of 8.34. Ashleigh Gardner’s contributions to cricket have been exceptional, earning her multiple accolades and titles. She was part of Australia’s winning squad in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2018, 2020, and 2023. She also secured a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in 2022. Additionally, she has won the Belinda Clark Award in 2022 and 2024 and was named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2023. Below are the full Ashleigh Gardner achievements and awards: Ashleigh Gardner was born on April 15, 1997, in Bankstown, Sydney, New South Wales. Who currently captains the Gujarat Giants in the WPL? In the Women’s Premier League, the captain of the Gujarat Giants is all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner. What jersey number does Ashleigh Gardner wear? Ashleigh Gardner’s jersey number is 63. What is Ashleigh Gardner’s net worth and salary? Ashleigh Gardner’s net worth and salary are estimated to be approximately $3–4 million. All images are used for editorial purposes only. License is solely with Getty/Source.