'Nervous' Gardner puts Big Bash demons behind her

Ashleigh Gardner admits she felt nervous heading into the Ashes following one of the lowest points of her career, but a second Test fifty has provided a welcome boost in confidence.

Gardner was named the Belinda Clark Award winner on Saturday, becoming the first Indigenous player to be named Australia's top female cricketer of the past 12 months.

In a lean year of international cricket for the Australian women that featured just 11 completed matches across all formats, Gardner hit four crucial half-centuries and averaged 35 for the year.

But her solid campaigns against New Zealand and India were followed by a torrid period for the Sydney Sixers in the WBBL, where she hit 197 runs in 12 innings, including four consecutive ducks to end her tournament.

Ahead of the Ashes, Gardner opened up to cricket.com.au about her struggles with her form and mental health during a prolonged three-month period on the road in late 2021.

It was a demanding period away from family that followed a winter spent training alone, with her Sydney suburb subject to strict restrictions that prevented her joining her NSW Breakers teammates.

"You can find yourself in some pretty dark places when you aren't in the best form. And that was certainly me," Gardner said.

"I can openly admit that my mental health probably wasn't great.

"But I think it's good for people's careers to go on that slight decline to then actually find the confidence again and find the rhythm back in your batting."

A much-needed break at the end of the Big Bash provided what she needed, while talking to Australia's team psychologist also helped.

Since re-joining her national teammates in Adelaide two weeks ago, an unbeaten 67 in a warm-up match followed by her first-innings 57 in the ongoing Test at Manuka Oval have helped her rediscover her confidence.

"Being able to go back into the (NSW) Breakers set up around a different bunch of girls was really instrumental to actually feel confident again," Gardner said.

"I was certainly really nervous going into this series (but) having the backing of all my teammates, and all the staff was really important to (help) find that confidence."

The next few months loom as a similarly challenging period.

Australia are in a strict bubble for the multi-format Ashes and two days after the series is completed, the World Cup squad will depart for 10 days of hard quarantine in New Zealand.

If Australia make it to the final of the ICC tournament, Gardner and her teammates will be on the road until April 3, but the allrounder hopes the lessons learned from the past few months will stand her in better stead during the upcoming campaigns.

Image Id: 8659623DBC78426EB70881570FDC596B Image Caption: Gardner was back to her best form in Canberra this week // Getty

"It's always challenging," Gardner said.

"This next little period is going to be another stint away from home. But I'm lucky to have my partner on tour with me this time, to keep me grounded and (to spend time with) off the field as well, rather than just thinking about cricket 24/7 – I think that's the most important thing.

"Everything's a lesson in a way and it wasn't fantastic at the time, what I was going through, but just knowing that that was such a challenge and knowing the things that I can overcome (is helpful).

Meanwhile, Gardner put her form at international level in 2021 down to increased maturity.

The off-spinning allrounder was told by Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley of her award on Friday night, and admitted she asked him more than once if he had the right person.

"I've certainly grown up both on and off the field," Gardner said.

"I think maturing off the field probably has an impact on my game on the field.

"I feel really comfortable within this side.

"I've known what my role has been and I've been really clear in the direction that I need to do with either bat or ball in hand."

Commonwealth Bank Women's Ashes v England

Australia Ashes squad: Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Stella Campbell, Hannah Darlington, Ashleigh Gardner, Rachael Haynes (vc), Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Meg Lanning (c), Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland

England Ashes squad: Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Maia Bouchier, Katherine Brunt, Kate Cross, Freya Davies, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Tash Farrant, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Nat Sciver (vc), Anya Shrubsole, Mady Villiers, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Danni Wyatt

Australia lead the multi-format series 4-2

Jan 20: Australia won by nine wickets

Jan 22: No Result

Jan 23: Match Abandoned without a ball bowled

Jan 27-30: Test match, Manuka Oval, 10am AEDT, 

Feb 3: First ODI, Manuka Oval (D/N), 2.10pm AEDT

Feb 6: Second ODI, Junction Oval, 10.05am AEDT

Feb 8: Third ODI, Junction Oval, 10.05am AEDT