Tauranga, March 22
Ashleigh Gardner has been ruled out for the rest of Australia's T20I tour of New Zealand due to a finger injury, with uncapped Brisbane Heat and Queensland all-rounder Charli Knott being called up as a replacement.
Gardner left the field immediately after being struck on her right index finger while attempting to catch a powerful return shot from Sophie Devine during the 17th over of Friday's first T20I in Auckland. She was taken for scans, which revealed a fracture in her right index finger. Gardner will undergo further scans and consult with a specialist upon returning to Sydney.
Serving as vice-captain to Tahlia McGrath on this tour, Gardner’s replacement for Sunday’s second T20I has yet to be confirmed.
Knott, a 22-year-old off-spin bowling all-rounder, has earned her first call-up to the Australia squad following a standout domestic season. In the 2024-25 Women's National Cricket League, she was the fourth-highest run scorer with 542 runs at an average of 54.2, including her maiden WNCL century - a match-winning 110 against South Australia at Adelaide Oval.
Knott also registered scores of 87 not out, 79 not out, 62 and 58. Her 542 runs were the most by any Queensland player in a single WNCL season, and she was only the second Fire player after Georgia Redmayne to surpass 500 runs in a season.