Her spectacular season has included 339 runs with a 153.39 strike rate and 23 wickets at 15.08 with her off-spin having notably improved.
She has emerged as a world-class allrounder and all eyes are now on the 25-year-old and how far she can take the Sixers after they suffered the shock of a wooden spoon last season. The Muruwari woman made her T20I debut in February 2017 against New Zealand, and her One Day International debut followed against the same opposition soon after.
In 2019, she was handed her Baggy Green by fellow First Nations player Dan Christian, becoming the third Indigenous player, and second woman, to play a Test for Australia.
A two-time T20 World Cup winner with Australia, Gardner’s powerful batting and crafty off-spin has made her a key member across all formats.
She feels like maturity and experience have allowed her to take her game to the next level.
“At the start of the season I didn’t know if I was going to be an option but I’ve hit a couple of wickets and a few runs too,” she said.
“It’s been a really good season … it’s more about trying to outsmart the batters and stay one step ahead of them.”
Though last year was more of a struggle over not being able to see family and friends for over three months, she says she is now in a much better spot with the team all having fun playing cricket again.
“We’re all looking forward to the challenges ahead … we’re raring to go,” she said.