Ashleigh Gardner and Georgia Voll playing together for Australia (Source: AFP Photos)Ashleigh Gardner, one of the most dynamic all-rounders in women’s cricket, made headlines for unwanted reasons in July. Finally, the 29-year-old Australian chose to speak extensively on the matter.Gardner’s estranged spouse, Monica Wright, made a stunning accusation against Gardner, saying she had an affair with teammate Georgia Voll when Australia toured India last year for Women’s ODI World Cup.Ashleigh Gardner Says Reputation Was ‘Tarnished’Although Gardner made a statement on the matter in August, she didn't say much in detail then. But now, she has made the claim that her reputation, which she earned by doing so well throughout her illustrious career, has been ‘tarnished’, courtesy of the Georgia Voll controversy.“My reputation has been tarnished with the public, but I guess something that I always try to strive to do when representing any team that I play in is be the best teammate that I can, and hopefully show what this team means to me when I’m playing for them,” Gardner told The Australian.ALSO READAshleigh Gardner’s Australian Team Breaks Silence On Georgia Voll Dating Controversy“Playing sport at a high level, you’re open to having a platform, and sometimes with this comes interest from the public, and they want to know things about your personal life, and they invest, and then can make judgment either way of what you are or aren’t doing,” she added.Gardner Admits Georgia Voll Controversy News Left Her In ShockFurthermore, Gardner mentioned that when the news broke around her and Georgia Voll, she was left stunned. However, she did not say any wrong words about Monica Wright.“I was certainly surprised, as you could imagine. I certainly didn’t expect the situation to take the path that it did, or to become as public as what it did. But I also understand that everyone has their own way of dealing with difficult situations,” Gardner added.“I guess for me, the important thing (is) over this last period, I’ve obviously had time to reflect on what’s happened and making sure to have those conversations with the people that I’ve needed to, whether that’s internally and just focus on moving forward for the team. I think (that) is the most important thing,” she concluded.Important to mention that Australia have Tahlia McGrath and Gardner as vice-captains across formats. She was also the player of the tournament when Australia won the 2023 T20 World Cup in South Africa.ALSO READVirat Kohli's Team Responds To 5 Crore Bribe Allegations In Case Related To Premanand Maharaj
