Ashleigh Gardner become player of the tournament: Australia won the Women’s T20 World Cup champion for the record sixth time. Australian all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner is the winner of the ICC Player of the Tournament award thanks to her stunning all-round efforts during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023.
The defending champions of the T20 world cup reached the final without breaking a sweat. Australia decided to bat first after winning the toss against the host nation on Sunday as they put up a target of 157 runs with the help of their opener Beth Mooney’s 74(53) and 29 runs from Gardener.
The target was not so massive to chase down for the hosts but the Australian bowlers were very economical with the bowl as they restricted South Africa to 137/6 in 20 overs, Australia won the match by 19 runs.
Aussies have completed a ‘three-peat’ in 2018, 2020, and now 2023 under the captaincy of Meg Lanning.
Ashleigh Gardner become Player of the tournament
The exceptional Gardner contributed significantly to Australia winning its sixth Women’s T20 World Cup by taking ten wickets and scoring 110 runs during the team’s successful campaign.
The 25-year-old was exceptional in the tournament final, scoring 29 runs off of 21 balls after moving up to the number three position to help Australia’s innings get going and taking 1 wicket conceding just 20 runs from her four overs of off-spin to keep South Africa out of the game.
“We have been longing for this moment,” Ashleigh Gardner as she becomes Player of the Tournament.
“Personal accolades are great but I am proud of this win. Words cannot describe how proud I am of the group. We talk about evolving as individuals and growing the game globally. There is so much fun in playing cricket for your country.”
“This is something I am going to be proud of later in life.”
Speaking after the final, Mooney praised her teammate Gardener.
“I think she’s matured immensely across the last few years just off the field and obviously with her own game she’s probably in a sweet spot as well in terms of how comfortable and confident she is.”
