ICC Women's World Cup: Heather Graham To Replace Ashleigh Gardener In Australia's Squad

The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 has approved Australian all-rounder Heather Graham as a replacement for Ashleigh Gardener in the Australia squad in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2022.

On March 3, Gardener was tested positive for COVID-19 and missed Australia’s opening match against England in the World Cup. Gardener is currently observing a 10-day isolation period and will also miss the second match against Pakistan on Tuesday.

ICC Women’s World Cup: Heather Graham to replace Ashleigh Gardener in Australia’s squad

According to Cricket Australia’s statement after Gardner tested positive all other team members had tested negative ahead of their match against England.

Graham, who has played a solitary ODI match against Sri Lanka women in October 2019 in Brisbane, will replace Gardener on a temporary basis in Australia’s 15-member squad for their fixture against Pakistan.

A COVID-19 replacement has to be temporary and once the player recovers from the dreadful virus, she is eligible to join the squad in place of the travel reserved player. But the replacement does need the consent of the Event Technical Committee before the player can join the squad.

The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 comprises Chris Tetley, ICC Head of Events (Chair), Adrian Griffith, ICC Senior Manager Umpires and Referees (ICC Representative), Andrea Nelson, LOC CEO (Host Representative), Catherine Campbell (Host Representative), Sana Mir (Independent), Nasser Hussain (Independent).

ICC Women’s World Cup 2022: Australia defeated England by 12 runs in their first match

Australia started their campaign with a win against rivals England by 12 runs as skipper Meg Lanning (86) and opener Rachael Haynes (130) led the charge of the six-time World Cup champions to push them to a commendable score of 310.

Alana King (3/59), Jess Jonassen (2/18) and Tahlia McGrath (2/51) bowled brilliantly to keep the England batters at bay despite Natalie Sciver’s unbeaten 109 off 85 balls.  Australia will face Pakistan on Tuesday at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. Pakistan lost their first match to India by 107 runs and will make a case to come back in the tournament.

Also Read: ICC Women’s World Cup 2022: It Was A Complete Match From India’s Viewpoint – Gautam Gambhir