The attendance of star Sixers allrounder Ashleigh Gardner, on the final day of the Women’s Indigenous T20 Cup, has put smiles on the faces of many of the young Indigenous players involved in the inaugural competition across Wednesday and Thursday.
Gardner, a proud Indigenous woman from the Muruwari tribe, took the time to come down to Reg Bartley Oval, Rushcutters Bay on Thursday, when the Sydney Thunder Women’s Indigenous XI registered its third victory from as many matches to claim the T20 Cup.
Thunder won by eight wickets on Thursday morning chasing down 135 to win.
Sixers Indigenous Women’s team captain Roxanne Van Veen, who played with her daughter Bree across the two days, said Gardner was a big inspiration for those young cricketers.
“It was good for the younger ones (to see her here), I know Bree was very excited to see Ash, she’s a big fan of Ash’s,” said Van Veen.
“Seeing her here puts a bit of a smile on the young ones faces, hopefully it makes them (become) better players because where Ash is now is where they could be in a couple of years (who knows).”
In July, Gardner became the third Indigenous player male or female to play Test cricket for Australia along with Faith Thomas AM and former Australian quick Jason Gillespie, during the Women’s Ashes.
Gardner, spoke with players from both the Sixers and Thunder Women’s Indigenous teams on Thursday, many with whom she had previously represented the Australian and NSW Female Indigenous teams overseas and at National Championships.
She also presented Sixers Indigenous player Anika Learoyd with a signed cricket ball as player of the Indigenous T20 Cup.
Learoyd finished the series with 139 runs, dismissed just the once. She also picked up a wicket with her leg-spin on Thursday.
Van Veen was particularly impressed with Learoyd’s power at the crease.
“Batted out there with her yesterday and she can hit a ball hard, wow! She just has so much focus,” said Van Veen on Thursday.
“She played some unbelievable cricket, what did she score in Sydney Grade cricket recently, 145 not out, how good is that for a 17-year-old.”
Van Veen said the inaugural Women’s Indigenous T20 Cup was a great initiative and to play with her daughter across the two days was pretty cool.
“When (Thunder captain Julie Muir) asked me whether Bree wanted to come and field, I said Bree would love to have a little run around … I’ve never pushed Bree to play.
“It’s a pretty proud moment for Bree and I to play in the one team … it’s pretty special.”
Twelve-year-old Bree enjoyed the experience.
“It was fun, bit tough, it was hot, learnt some fielding tips,” said Bree.
