‘Cash Gardner’! Aussie star’s historic half million dollar IPL windfall – and she watched it unfold at training

Ashleigh Gardner hit the jackpot in the first ever Women’s Indian Premier League auction with several other Aussies striking it rich.

The five teams were allowed to sign six overseas players each and 28 Aussies were up for ‘sale” at the auction.

Australian allrounder Gardner was the top Aussie when bought for $558,000 by Gujarat Giants. It was the second highest fee of the night behind Indian batter Smriti Mandhana, who was sold to the Royal Challengers Bangalore for $593,000.

Gardner was watching the auction on her phone at training according to one report.

Ash Gardner watches herself get auctioned off for A$558,000!

Ellyse Perry was – no surprises here – in the nets when she went under the hammer #T20WorldCup #WPLAuction pic.twitter.com/ar3xhKGEB0

— Laura Jolly (@JollyLauz18) February 13, 2023

Beth Mooney was also sold to the Giants for $349,000 and the Aussie pair will be coached by former Australian vice-captain Rachael Haynes.

Several Australians missed out on getting spots with Megan Schutt, leg-spinner Alana King and Jess Jonassen going unsold.

Aussie sales

Ash Gardner – Gujarat Giants for 3.2 crore ($558,000)

Ellyse Perry – Royal Challengers Bangalore for 1.7 crore ($297,000)

Tahlia McGrath – UP Warriorz for 1.4 crore ($244,000)

Beth Mooney – Gujarat Giants for 2.0 crore ($349,000)

Meg Lanning – Delhi Capitals for 1.1 crore ($192,000)

Annabel Sutherland – Delhi Capitals for 70 lakh ($122,000)

Alyssa Healy – UP Warriorz for 70 lakh ($122,000)

More like Cashleigh Gardner. You’re welcome headline writers. #WPLAuction

— Jon Tuxworth (@Tuxy81) February 13, 2023

The scenes from the #WPLAuction are making my heart sing. What a moment for cricket… not only women’s cricket – all cricket. If you invest in women, you invest in the future of young girls & that can only grow the game.

— Neroli Meadows (@Neroli_Meadows) February 13, 2023

Ash Gardner will earn more in a month at #WPL2023 than the top contract earners in the @WNBA, @NWSL and @BarclaysWSL do in a season (according to published reports).

Extraordinary.https://t.co/cHBBtoQBr6

— Alex Brown (@AlexBrown77) February 13, 2023

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