Muruwari cricket star Gardner primed for home T20 series and T20 World Cup defence

Callan Morse Published January 10, 2023 at 2.40pm (AWST)

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Ash Gardner has retained her spot in Australia's T20 side following strong form domestic and international form. Image: Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images.

Muruwari champion Ash Gardner has been selected in Australia's 15-player squad for the upcoming home T20 International Series against Pakistan and squad for next month's Women's T20 World Cup.

Gardner's selection comes as no surprise after scintillating form on Australia's recent five-match T20 tour of India, which Australia comfortably won 4-1.

Whilst on tour the the spin bowling allrounder amassed 115 runs at an average of 57.50 (top score 66*) and took seven wickets at an average of 18.28 (best bowling 2-20).

She collected two Player of the Match awards in the 4th and 5th T20 International of the series, and was also awarded Player of the Series honours.

Gardner was awarded Player of the Series honours for her performance in the recent Australian tour of India. Image: Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images.

Gardner has been at the top of her game in the T20 format for some time, coming off a Women's Big Bash League season which saw her finish eighth in runs (339 at 28.25) and fourth in wickets (23 wickets at 16.43).

This domestic form saw her selected in the WBBL Team of the Tournament and the recipient of the Player of the Tournament award.

At the international level, the 25-year-old has cemented herself as a key element to Australia's T20 international success in recent years, regularly contributing with both bat and ball.

Across 49 T20 international innings she possesses a healthy batting average 26.43, with her damaging stroke play (strike rate 133.54) making her a regular middle-order selection in the Australian women's T20 international side.

Often thrown the ball, Gardner's bowling statistics in T20 internationals are her best at the top level in comparison to longer formats of the game.

A tournament-high 23 wickets saw Gardner awarded the Golden Arm in WBBL|08. Image: Mark Evans - CA.

In 53 T20 innings she has effected 42 dismissals (average 20.83) with a strike rate of a wicket every 19.8 balls and a low economy of just 6.31.

Other notable selections in the squad include captain Meg Lanning who returns from personal leave, leg spinner Georgia Wareham who has been selected after a 15-month injury lay-off and wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy, who returns from a calf strain sustained in the recent T20 series against India.

Australia play their first T20 international match against the visiting Pakistani side on 24 January in Sydney, following a three game one day series against the same opponent which begin at Allan Boarder Field in Brisbane on 16 January.

The same 15-player squad will then travel to South Africa in February aiming to add a third consecutive T20 World Cup title to the trophies won in 2018 and 2020.

Australia squad for T20 International Series v Pakistan and Women's T20 World Cup

Meg Lanning - captain

Alyssa Healy - vice-captain

Darcie Brown

Ash Gardner

Kim Garth

Heather Graham

Grace Harris

Jess Jonassen

Alana King

Tahlia McGrath

Beth Mooney