Ashleigh Gardner will continue to grow as a leader after succeeding Ellyse Perry as captain of the Sydney Sixers, a WBBL team aiming to regain their previous position.
Perry, who led the Sixers to back-to-back titles in the second and third seasons of the WBBL, has been captain since the first season in 2015–16. The change marks the beginning of a new era. However, the Sixers’ reputation as a dominant team on the field has diminished after they missed the playoffs five times in the last six seasons.
Under Gardner’s new leadership and that of new head coach Matthew Mott, who was previously the coach of the England men’s and women’s white-ball teams, the Sixers are making a significant change.
With the club record for games (135) and wickets (102) and third in runs (267), Gardner, 28, has been a key member of the Sixers since the beginning. She has been considered an aspiring captain of Australia for a long time, especially for her efforts to promote Indigenous heritage and culture.
Alyssa Healy stated that the most recent ODI World Cup will be her final appearance in that format, hence Gardner ought to be considered to replace her. Tahlia McGrath commanded the T20I trip of New Zealand earlier this year while Gardner served as the vice-captain. Healy was not present.
She was appointed captain of the Trent Rockets in the Hundred and the Gujarat Giants in the Women’s Premier League before joining the Sixers.
“I’m honoured to be appointed captain of the Sydney Sixers, a club I’ve proudly represented for my whole career,” stated Gardner. “Over the past decade I’ve learned from some amazing leaders, including Pez [ Perry] and Midge [Healy] at the Sixers, and I can’t wait to lead the team.”
For the next three seasons at the very least, Perry, 35, will stay with the Sixers. “It’s been an immense pleasure to have the opportunity to lead the Sixers over the last ten years,” she added.
“Ash has offered so much to Sixers on-and-off the field and her strong interest in giving her best as a leader will be an exciting starting point for our team this season.”
Healy had a slight thumb injury in the World Cup semifinal, thus he will miss the Sixers’ season opener. Next week, when she resumes training, the injury will be closely watched.
The Sixers’ campaign begins on Sunday at the WACA against the Perth Scorchers.
As she deals with a slight quad injury, Sophie Molineux, the captain of the Melbourne Renegades, will miss the first two games. In her place, the captain will be Georgia Wareham.
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