Ash Gardner has made history, becoming the first - and highest paid - Australian selected at the inaugural Women's Premier League (WPL) auction.
The Muruwari champion will pocket more than half-a-million dollars, with the Gujarat Giants forking out $558,000 for the rights to the star allrounder.
Gardner's price tag, second only to Indian batter Smriti Mandhana ($593,000), came following a bidding war that broke out between the Giants, the Mumbai Indians and UP Warriors shortly after Gardner was offered for a base price of $87,000.
She was the equal-most expensive overseas player purchased through the auction, with England allrounder Natalie Sciver-Brunt also picked up for $558,000 by Mumbai.
Her auction success came just a day after delivering her best bowling in T20 international cricket, taking 5-12 against New Zealand in Australia's opening round of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in South Africa.
Following Australia's training session at Gqeberha's St George's Park ahead of their second T20 World Cup match against Bangladesh, Australian head coach Shelley Nietschke said Gardner has been a crucial factor in the team's recent success.
"Ashleigh's such a great all-rounder," Nietschke said.
"She delivers in three skills. She's been really important for us over the last 12 months to two years, and even beyond that."
Ash Gardner watches herself get auctioned off for A$558,000!
Ellyse Perry was - no surprises here - in the nets when she went under the hammer #T20WorldCup #WPLAuction pic.twitter.com/ar3xhKGEB0
— Laura Jolly (@JollyLauz18) February 13, 2023
"I think what we're finding in recent times is she's really coming into her game and maturing as a cricketer, so she plays a key role for us.
"It was fantastic to see her perform with the ball and her career-best figures against New Zealand. I'm looking forward to seeing what the tournament (WPL) brings for her."
Gardner was one of 14 Australians snapped up, with Beth Mooney ($350,000), Ellyse Perry ($297,000) and Tahlia McGrath ($245,000) also earning themselves hundreds of thousands through the auction.
She will be joined by three fellow Australian players at the Giants, with the franchise also securing the services of wicketkeeper-batter Mooney, leg spinner Georgia Wareham ($131,000) and pace bowling allrounder Annabel Sutherland ($122,000).
Gardner will have an additional Australian connection at the Giants, with recently retired batter Rachel Haynes appointed head coach of the franchise.
Held in Mumbai, a total of 448 players were available through the auction, with only 87 players securing roster positions across the tournament's five franchises who each had more than $2 million to spend.
The auction was held ahead of the first installment of the WPL, the women's equivalent of the Indian Premier League which begins on March 4.
