Australia women’s team bans concussion-risk drills ahead of T20 World Cup
Australia’s women’s cricket team has banned a pre-game drill involving the Vortex ball after all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner experienced a concussion scare during a recent warm-up. The incident occurred during a series against New Zealand, where Gardner collided with teammate Georgia Wareham while attempting to catch the ball. As a precaution, the team has decided to eliminate any activity that poses a risk of head injury ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
Gardner, who has a history of concussions, initially brushed off the collision but later became emotional, fearing another head injury, which would have been her eighth. Although ruled out of the first T20I, she made a strong comeback in the second match, claiming 3 wickets for 16 runs and helping Australia secure a 29-run victory over New Zealand.
Despite a batting collapse in the second T20I, where Australia lost their last seven wickets for just 28 runs, Gardner’s performance with the ball ensured a win. She has now called on her team’s batters to step up in the final match, urging them to post a formidable total if they bat first in Brisbane.