Ash Gardner breaks silence on affair allegations, calls cricket 'a shining light'

Sydney Sixers captain addresses controversy for first time ahead of WBBL season opener

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published26 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources3 outlets

Ash Gardner has spoken publicly for the first time about the cheating allegations that have surrounded her private life, describing cricket as a "shining light" during what she called a challenging period. The Sydney Sixers captain fronted the media at the club's season launch at North Sydney Olympic Pool on Monday, days before the Women's Big Bash League season begins.

Gardner, 29, has been at the centre of controversy since July, when her estranged wife, Monica Wright, alleged in an Instagram post that Gardner had an affair with Australian teammate Georgia Voll. Gardner and Voll are now in a relationship.

Speaking at the Sixers' season launch, Gardner said the past few months had been challenging but that cricket had provided an escape. "Cricket's been a really fantastic escape ... it's been a bit of a shining light," she said. "It's obviously been challenging. Yes, it's my private life, but I guess these things become more of a public matter."

The all-rounder has continued to perform on the field, helping Australia win the T20 World Cup and captaining Trent Rockets to victory in England's Hundred tournament, as well as featuring in recent white-ball matches against Bangladesh and New Zealand.

Gardner said she had been able to compartmentalise the scrutiny, though some days were tough. "There were certainly days that it was tough," she said. "That's my job at the end of the day. Life still happens [and it is about] being able to put my full focus into what whatever I guess was needed from me, and that's obviously cricket."

Gardner retained her role as Australia's vice-captain, with Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg saying "additional policies" would be introduced to navigate her relationship with Voll. The Sixers also confirmed in July she would remain captain for the new WBBL season.

Thanking outgoing Sixers general manager and former teammate Rachael Haynes for her backing, Gardner said the club meant a lot to her. "Obviously this club means a lot to me," she said. "To have the backing from the people at the top [means a lot]. I've known Rach for a really long time."

Gardner's Sixers open their WBBL campaign on Friday against the Brisbane Heat.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

Gardner is one of Australia's most prominent women's cricketers and the national side's vice-captain, so how she handles the controversy affects her leadership roles at both international and WBBL level.
The episode has pushed Cricket Australia to introduce "additional policies" around Gardner's relationship with a teammate, raising questions about how governing bodies manage players' private lives.
The WBBL season will now play out with Gardner under intense public scrutiny, and her performances and leadership will be closely watched.

Background

Gardner is a leading Australian all-rounder and vice-captain of the national team. In July, her estranged wife, Monica Wright, alleged in an Instagram post that Gardner had an affair with teammate Georgia Voll. Gardner and Voll are now in a relationship. Cricket Australia and the Sixers have backed Gardner, keeping her in leadership roles, while chief executive Todd Greenberg said "additional policies" would be introduced to navigate the relationship.

Key Perspectives

Ash Gardner: says the past few months have been "challenging" but cricket has been "a really fantastic escape" and "a bit of a shining light", and she is focused on being the best teammate she can be. Monica Wright: alleged in an Instagram post in July that Gardner had an affair with Georgia Voll. Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg: said "additional policies" would be introduced to navigate Gardner's relationship with Voll. Sydney Sixers: stood by Gardner, announcing in July she would remain captain for the new WBBL season.

What to Watch

Whether Cricket Australia's "additional policies" are detailed during the season.
Gardner's on-field form in the WBBL, starting Friday against the Brisbane Heat.
How public reaction, and the response of teammates and fans, develops as the season progresses.

Sources

‘It’s been challenging’: Gardner opens up on teammate affair ahead of WBBL campaign · The Sydney Morning Herald
‘It’s been challenging’: Gardner opens up on teammate affair ahead of WBBL campaign · Brisbane Times
‘It’s been challenging’: Gardner opens up on teammate affair ahead of WBBL campaign · WAtoday

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedGardner describes cricket as “a shining light”.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: ““Cricket’s been a really fantastic escape … it’s been a bit of a shining light,” Gardner said”
SupportedGardner said cricket had been an escape during a challenging period.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: ““Cricket’s been a really fantastic escape … it’s been a bit of a shining light,” Gardner said”
SupportedGardner said the situation was challenging and that her private life had become more public.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: ““It’s obviously been challenging. ... “Yes, it’s my private life, but I guess these things become more of a public matter.””
SupportedGardner said she had spoken publicly about the controversy for the first time at the Sixers’ season launch.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Speaking publicly about the controversy for the first time at the Sixers’ season launch at North Sydney Olympic Pool on Monday”
SupportedGardner said there had been days when the scrutiny was tough and that her job was to focus on cricket.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: ““There were certainly days that it was tough,” Gardner said. “That’s my job at the end of the day. Life still happens [and it is about] being able to put my full focus into what whatever I guess was needed from me, and that’s obviously cricket.””
SupportedGardner’s estranged wife, Monica Wright, alleged in an Instagram post in July that Gardner had an affair with Australian teammate Georgia Voll; Gardner and Voll are now in a relationship.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “In July, Gardner’s estranged wife, Monica Wright, alleged in an Instagram post that the Australian all-rounder had had an affair with Voll. Gardner and Voll are now in a relationship.”
SupportedGardner, 29, is Sydney Sixers captain and was speaking at the club’s season launch at North Sydney Olympic Pool on Monday.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Speaking publicly about the controversy for the first time at the Sixers’ season launch at North Sydney Olympic Pool on Monday, Gardner conceded the past few months had been “challenging”. The 29-year-old”
SupportedGardner helped Australia win the T20 World Cup, captained Trent Rockets to victory in England’s Hundred tournament, and played in recent matches against Bangladesh and New Zealand.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The 29-year-old has continued to enjoy success on the field, helping Australia win the T20 World Cup and captaining Trent Rockets to victory in England’s Hundred tournament. She has also featured in Australia’s recent white-ball matches against Bangladesh and New Zealand.”
SupportedGardner retained Australia’s vice-captaincy, and Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg said “additional policies” would be introduced concerning her relationship with Voll.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Gardner retained also her position as Australia’s vice-captain, with Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg saying “additional policies” would be introduced to navigate her relationship with Voll.”
SupportedThe Sixers announced in July that Gardner would remain captain for the new WBBL season.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The Sixers also stood by Gardner, announcing in July she would remain captain for the new WBBL season.”
SupportedGardner thanked outgoing Sixers general manager and former teammate Rachael Haynes for backing her.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Gardner also paid tribute to outgoing Sixers general manager and former teammate Rachael Haynes for backing her to lead the club in this year’s Women’s Big Bash League”
SupportedThe Sixers open their WBBL campaign on Friday against the Brisbane Heat.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Gardner said ahead of the Sixers’ first WBBL game on Friday against the Brisbane Heat.”