Mackay
Australia will wait until Sunday to assess the fitness of star allrounder Ashleigh Gardner for the second T20I against New Zealand in Mackay. Gardner missed the series opener due to a precautionary decision after a collision with teammate Georgia Wareham. While she was not diagnosed with a concussion, her history of head injuries prompted the team to keep her sidelined. Gardner trained with the team on Saturday and will be closely monitored. Wareham, who played in the first match, showed no signs of concussion and also trained without issues.
Australia aims for a series-clinching victory after winning the first match by five wickets. Beth Mooney, who will play her 100th T20I today, highlighted areas for improvement, stating, ‘It was a good game for us (but) not a great one.’ She emphasized the need for a better start with the bat and improved performance with the ball.
As Australia prepares for the T20 World Cup in the UAE, Mooney acknowledged the importance of this series for honing their gameplay. Meanwhile, New Zealand captain Sophie Devine remains uncertain for the second game as she recovers from an ankle injury sustained during The Hundred.
