Focused Ashleigh Gardner sets her sights on glory for Australia at Women’s T20 World Cup 2026

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Ashleigh Gardner, Australia’s premier all-rounder, remains steadfast in her conviction that the team holds the title of the world’s best despite recent ICC tournament heartbreaks. The right-arm off-spinner and hard-hitting batter emphasized her focus on reclaiming glory at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England and Wales, starting June 12. Drawing from her experience, Gardner insists minimal tactical overhauls are needed, prioritizing execution in high-pressure moments.

Despite back-to-back semi-final exits at the 2024 T20 World Cup—where South Africa chased down 134/5—and the 2025 ODI World Cup, losing to champions India in a record 338 chase, Gardner insists her team remains supreme. The 28-year-old all-rounder, with three prior World Cup titles and T20I stats of 19.93 batting average and 6.07 economy, eyes redemption in Group A alongside India, Pakistan, South Africa, and Nepal qualifiers.​

“The last couple of World Cups have been frustrating because of the way that they’ve ended. But I can sit here comfortably and say that I still believe that we’re the best team. It’s just making sure that we’re showing that in those moments where it really matters. So I’m certainly thinking about June next year, it seems like a long time away but it realistically isn’t and it’ll come around very quickly,“​Gardner stated to AAP news.

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Australia’s buildup intensifies with a multi-format home series against 2025 ODI World Cup winners India in February-March 2026, featuring three T20Is, three ODIs in Brisbane, Hobart, and a one-off Test in Perth. This white-ball focus sharpens T20 readiness, especially with India as Group A rivals in a blockbuster Lord’s clash on June 28.​

Gardner, fresh off ODI centuries like 104* vs England and 115 vs New Zealand in 2025, dismisses major overhauls.

“I think there’s not going to be too many dramatic changes. I don’t think there necessarily needs to be. It’s more those small moments that I don’t think we won and kind of letting the game go in ebbs and flows. That’s going to happen at times, but making sure that if those things do arise, we have the tools and capabilities to recognise it and the tools to get out of that,” she added. Her leadership, honed captaining Gujarat Giants in WPL 2025, bolsters Australia’s depth amid English conditions suiting her spin.​

The series against India, post their World Cup triumph over South Africa, tests Australia’s top ICC T20I ranking edge despite recent slips. Gardner’s resolve signals a tactical tweak on pressure execution, blending veterans with youth for a seventh T20 crown.

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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.