Published: Oct 18, 2015, 07:12 PM (IST)
Edited: Oct 18, 2015, 07:12 PM (IST)
Former Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds is budding Australian woman cricketer Ashleigh Gardner’s cricket idol. Gardner said that Symonds inspires her to hit big shots. It needs to be mentioned here that Symonds was one of the hardest hitters of the cricket ball during his cricket days. Talking of Gardner, she is an 18-year-old right-hand batswoman and right-arm offbreak bowler. This teenager plays for Australia A women and New South Wales (NSW) women. She is a brilliant prospect for Australia since she is good with both bat and ball. She was the highest run grosser in Australia’s under-18 women’s championship. She was also player of the tournament in Imparja Cup. Recently, in Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) 50-over match against South Australia Women she had figures of 39-1. This match was played on October 10’ 2015. Her performance in United Arab Emirates Women’s International Series played in April 2015 was also very good in the two T20s and four one-dayers. READ: Andrew Symonds to play charity-match to raise funds for Cancer Council Queensland
In a conversation with Sydney Morning Herald she said, “While I looked up to Brett Lee I got turned off pace-bowling. Andrew Symonds became my idol and I know it sounds random but he was one of the reasons why I turned to off-spin. I also liked that he was a big-hitter… Working hard and having a good attitude are the reasons for my success. I’m like everyone else who plays cricket, I played in the backyard with my dad and my brother and just loved it.” NSW team member Julie Muir adds that Gardner’s talent was spotted when she was much younger, “To see her grow from a shy 13-year-old into a beautiful young lady has been awesome. She was the baby of the team but I knew from the first training session Ashleigh had the talent to do well. She’s worked hard on her fitness and training to get to where she is and she’d tell anyone it’s no surprise the more she’s worked the better she’s become.” Andrew Symonds: 10 things you need to know about the Australian dasher
