There have been more than 600 men and women play Tests for Australia, but when Gardner received her first Test cap in July 2019, she joined trailblazer Faith Thomas and Jason Gillespie as the only aboriginal players to have played the longest format of the game.
Thomas became the first aboriginal woman to represent Australia in any sport in 1958 and bowler Gillespie, who played the first of his 71 Tests in 1996, remains the only aboriginal man to play a Test.
Fittingly, Australia limited-overs all-rounder Dan Christian, another player of indigenous heritage, was on hand to present Gardner’s cap, as Gillespie had done with the Twenty20 equivalent two years earlier.
“I will treasure those moments for the rest of my life,” Gardner said. “Some of the words [Christian] had to say were really kind.
“I have watched that video quite a few times now and every time it makes me smile so it is something that I will always remember.”
Gardner has tried to educate her team-mates too. An indigenous elder joined an Australia training session with a boomerang, a visit instigated by Gardner not long after her first call-up to the squad.
Star all-rounder Ellyse Perry says Gardner has taught her “a lot” and describes her as a “role model”.
“To have that tag is a surreal thing,” Gardner said.
“It is a humbling thing to know that there are kids and people of all ages that could look to me for inspiration or to play cricket like I do.
“It is a pretty cool feeling knowing I am a role model for people in the aboriginal community for whatever sport they play.”
Gardner’s impact on her team is about runs and wickets. Her effect on the game in Australia could be even bigger.
