Ash Gardner has admitted there were days when the fallout from her marriage breakdown was difficult to shut out, as the Australian cricket star thanked teammates for helping her through the controversy.
The Australian vice-captain, 29, said cricket had become a ‘shining light’ after her estranged wife Monica Wright publicly accused her of cheating with national teammate Georgia Voll.
Gardner and Voll are now understood to be officially in a relationship.
Speaking at the Sydney Sixers’ season launch in North Sydney, Gardner acknowledged the challenges of having her private life become a public talking point.
‘Cricket’s been a really fantastic escape … It’s been a bit of a shining light,’ she said.
‘It’s obviously been challenging.
Ash Gardner has opened up about the personal toll of her marriage breakdown and the cheating allegations made by her estranged wife
Monica Wright, pictured left, publicly accused Gardner of cheating with Australian teammate Georgia Voll in an Instagram post in July
Gardner and Voll (pictured at the 2025 Cricket Australia Awards) are now publicly in a relationship
‘Yes, it’s my private life, but I guess these things become more of a public matter.’
Wright made the allegation in an Instagram post in July, sharing a photograph of Voll with the words: ‘This is who my wife cheated on me with.’
Gardner apologised in August for the pain caused by the breakdown of her marriage.
She has retained both the Australian vice-captaincy and the Sixers captaincy, with Cricket Australia and the Sydney club backing her to continue in those roles.
On Monday, Gardner said the support of those around her had helped her navigate the scrutiny.
‘I’ve had some fantastic people around me to be there when I’ve needed them,’ she said.
‘I think cricket’s been great for that because I know the people around me support me. They know the type of person I am.’
Asked about concentrating on her cricket during the difficult period, Gardner acknowledged that had not always been straightforward.
Gardner described cricket as a ‘shining light’ as she navigated intense scrutiny of her private life
‘There were certainly days that it was tough,’ she said.
‘That [playing cricket] is my job at the end of the day. Life still happens.’
Gardner said maintaining close relationships within her team had been particularly valuable, with teammates alongside her through both good and bad days.
‘I’ve made some fantastic friends throughout my career and certainly being able to rely on them at times (has helped me).’
Her comments follow an interview earlier this month in which she said her reputation had been ‘tarnished’ and admitted she had underestimated how much attention the situation would attract.
‘I certainly didn’t expect the situation to take the path that it did, or to become as public as what it did,’ Gardner said in that interview.
‘But I also understand that everyone has their own way of dealing with difficult situations.’
She said she understood Wright’s perspective and acknowledged she may have been ‘a little bit naive’ about how widely the controversy would spread.
Gardner will lead the Sydney Sixers against Brisbane Heat in their WBBL opener on Friday
Despite the upheaval away from cricket, Gardner has continued to deliver on the field.
She helped Australia win the T20 World Cup and captained Trent Rockets to the Hundred title during a successful stretch that also included international appearances against Bangladesh and New Zealand.
Against New Zealand last week, she smashed 84 from 45 balls and claimed 2-17 to earn player-of-the-match honours.
Gardner said the responsibility of captaincy had helped her concentrate on the needs of those around her.
‘I’m always trying to be the best teammate I can be in whatever team I represent,’ she said.
‘Being able to captain a couple of sides throughout that period certainly draws me back to focusing on other people as well.’
The all-rounder said continuing to contribute remained her priority.
‘Obviously, there’s stuff going on in my life, but I think being able to show up for my teammates and for the clubs I represent is the most important thing I can do,’ she said.
‘Hopefully my performances showcase that.’
Gardner will lead the Sixers against Brisbane Heat in their opening WBBL match on Friday.
