Australian Women’s Vice-Captain’s Ex-Wife Demands Cricket Australia Act on Gardner Controversy

Monica Wright, the estranged wife of Australian women’s vice-captain Ashleigh Gardner, has publicly criticized Cricket Australia for its handling of allegations surrounding the all-rounder’s personal life and called for Gardner to be stripped of her leadership role. Wright initially raised the matter in July after a Daily Mail article appeared online. She posted the report to her Instagram story, describing it as too vague, and followed up with a photograph of fellow Australian cricketer Georgia Voll, alleging that Voll was the person involved in the situation with Gardner.

Wright went further in her criticism, stating: “I think if you’re privileged enough to represent your country and be seen as a role model, there’s a responsibility to hold yourself to a high moral standard.”

Cricket Australia responded to Wright’s comments to Code Sports by characterizing the matter as private and personal, without issuing any public disciplinary statement regarding Gardner or Voll. The governing body cited its existing workplace framework in its official statement.

“Cricket Australia ensures all relationships within our workforce comply with our Respect at Work policy. This includes putting appropriate conflict-of-interest management arrangements in place to support leadership responsibilities and maintain the integrity of team processes,” CA said. The statement did not address Wright’s specific demand that Gardner be removed from the vice-captaincy, nor did it indicate whether any formal review had been initiated.

Gardner and Wright got married in April 2025. However, tensions between the couple soon emerged during the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup in India, where Wright made the trip to see Gardner. An unnamed source described that meeting as awkward. The pair have since separated, with Gardner reported to have moved out of their Sydney home.

Gardner has continued to receive support within the cricket community. Her Women’s Big Bash League franchise, the Sydney Sixers, publicly backed her during the controversy. She also remains a central figure in the Australian setup and was part of the squad that secured Australia’s seventh Women’s T20 World Cup title in eight final appearances.

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