'Never thought would happen to me' - Ashleigh Gardner on big money WPL contract

Gujarat Giants broke the bank and signed Ashleigh Gardner for INR 3.2 crore for the inaugural edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL). The Australian all-rounder had a stunning run in international cricket and was one of the best players in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), which helped her earn a big-money WPL contract but the 27-year-old didn’t see it coming. 

Gardner called it ‘bizarre’ and talked about the growth of women’s cricket in the last ten years. She feels to be lucky to be playing in an era when women’s cricket is booming and making the headlines. The number two-ranked T20I all-rounder also talked about the fans and how they have evolved and started watching women’s cricket.

“It was totally bizarre. It was certainly something that I never thought would happen to me throughout my career. People are buying into what the women's game is, showcasing women in sport. Hopefully, cricket is leading the way: I'm sure cricket and soccer are pretty close but to be involved in the women's game at the moment, and the evolution from 10 years ago to now, it's been fantastic,” Gardner was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

I probably haven't played to the best of my ability: Gardner

Reflecting on her performance in the last couple of years, Gardner acknowledged that she hasn’t played to the best of her ability. Gujarat finished last in both years as the Australian scored 324 runs and picked up 17 wickets. She spoke about the high expectations that the fans had but clarified that the big-money contract had no role in her poor performance.

Gardner mentioned that the money was life-changing but it was just a number to her at the end of the day. She added that she has stayed away from that mindset and tried to play to her potential. 

“The ridiculous price tag that it came with certainly brought an expectation that I had to live up to. It was weird, because I had - obviously - nothing to do with the price tag that I was bought for. It was like, OK, there's this expectation - but it's probably a perceived pressure thing that I'm putting on myself, which I have no control over.

“I probably haven't played to the best of my ability, which has been really disappointing… It was certainly life-changing, don't get me wrong. But associating myself with that is probably something that I try to stay away from. It's a number, at the end of the day. If I can keep performing and doing my best for the team, I think that's more important than anything else,” She added.