Star all-rounder Ash Gardner has expressed firm determination for Australia to triumph at the 2026 ICC Women”s T20 World Cup, addressing the national side’s recent and uncharacteristic trophy drought in major competitions.
According to a report by ICC on Sunday, the Australian squad has faced a comparatively lean period by its own high standards, having been unsuccessful at the most recent T20 World Cup and also failing to secure a place in the final of this year”s ICC Women”s Cricket World Cup.
Despite these setbacks, Gardner remains confident in her team”s capabilities, insisting the squad can bounce back for the tournament scheduled to be held in England and Wales from June 12, 2026.
“The last couple of World Cups have been frustrating because of the way that they’ve ended,” Gardner said. “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.”
Looking ahead to the competition, the all-rounder acknowledged its imminent approach. “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.”
The team”s preparations will intensify in the new year with a multi-format series on home soil against India, the recent 50-over World Cup champions. The series in February and March will feature six white-ball contests-three ODIs and three T20Is-followed by a one-off Test in Perth.
This series will be a crucial part of the build-up for the T20 World Cup, where Australia has been drawn in Group A. They will face India, Pakistan, South Africa, and two other teams that will emerge from the ICC Women”s T20 World Cup Qualifier event.
Gardner does not anticipate a major overhaul of the team’s strategy or personnel before the 20-over showcase.
“I think there’s not going to be too many dramatic changes,” she stated. “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.”
She concluded that the focus would be on managing in-game shifts in momentum. “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.”