Ashleigh Gardner, an all-rounder for Australia, won the Belinda Clarke Award for 2023 after being voted the finest women’s cricket player. The 26-year-old won the prize the first time around during the COVID era, so this is his second time winning it. She thanked her family and teammates during her acceptance speech, and renowned cricket player Belinda Clarke presented her with the award.
Notably, Ashleigh Gardner garnered 147 votes, 13 more than Ellyse Perry, who came in second.
With 106 votes, Annabel Sutherland came in third, followed by Phoebe Litchfield and Alyssa Healy, who received 83 and 73 votes, respectively, to place fourth and fifth.
“I want to thank my cricket family first and foremost. Naturally, having all of my teammates and support personnel around makes it much simpler for me to be gone for a large portion of the year. Gardner gave a special shout-out to all of you in her winning speech.
“You understand how much you mean to me and my family. You’re in my life forever. Whether I play for Australia or just in grade cricket, you almost always attend my matches. Of course, you see the bright days and the bad days with my partner, Monica Wright. People like you are what really add to the fun of playing cricket, Ashleigh Gardner continued.
In 2023, Ashleigh Gardner participated in two Test matches and amassed 17 wickets at an average of 16.64. She has also won the one-off Test match against England away from home and amassed 59 runs in the longest format. The all-rounder has taken 32 wickets in 28 games while playing for the national squad in the restricted format. Throughout the year, she also scored 440 runs.
The winner of the Belinda Clark Award, for a second time…
Ash Gardner!#AusCricketAwards pic.twitter.com/LesnwuRf2V
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 31, 2024
Renowned Ellyse Perry purses Women’s Player of the Year in Limited Overs
In the meantime, Ellyse Perry, the renowned star of the Australian women’s team, has been named the women’s T20I and ODI “Player of the Year.” Having scored 467 runs in 12 ODIs and 319 runs in 14 T20Is, she was outstanding all season long. In 2023, she also claimed seven wickets. Notably, some of Cricket Australia’s award winners were not announced at the official ceremony; therefore, her name was revealed separately.