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Australia women’s vice-captain Ashleigh Gardner has addressed the end of her marriage to Monica Wright for the first time publicly, expressing regret over the pain caused and asking for privacy while confirming that Cricket Australia continues to support her leadership role.
Ashleigh Gardner opens up following ex-wife Monica Wright’s cheating allegations
Gardner has broken her silence following the public fallout from the separation with Wright. The 29-year-old cricketer issued a statement on Instagram on Thursday, acknowledging that her marriage had ended and offering an apology for the hurt caused by the situation.
Gardner’s statement marked her first public response since the breakdown of her relationship became a major talking point surrounding Australian cricket. While she recognised the need to clarify her relationship status because of her senior position within the national team, she made it clear that she considers the matter primarily a private one. She also thanked Wright for the time they had shared and wished her well for the future.
The controversy intensified after Wright publicly alleged that Gardner had been unfaithful and identified fellow Australia cricketer Georgia Voll in a post on Instagram. Gardner had previously remained silent on the allegations, while Voll has also not made any public comment about the claims. Gardner’s latest statement, however, stopped short of directly addressing the alleged affair or naming Voll. Instead, the all-rounder focused on the consequences of the separation and the impact it has had on those involved. She added that she was grateful for the support provided by Cricket Australia’s board and remained committed to her responsibilities with the national side.
“While my separation from my wife is a personal matter, I understand my current relationship status needed to be addressed by Cricket Australia given my position as vice-captain,” Gardner said in her Instagram statement.
Also READ: Ashleigh Gardner’s wife accuses Australian vice-captain of cheating with teammate Georgia Voll
Gardner grateful for CA’s backing
Gardner also confirmed that Cricket Australia has chosen to retain its confidence in her leadership. She said she was looking forward to continuing to contribute to the team and supporting her teammates during the upcoming season. The Australian all-rounder expressed regret over the distress caused by the situation while avoiding further discussion of the allegations. She finished by wishing Wright “nothing but happiness and success in the future” before making a clear request for privacy.
“I am grateful that the CA Board has chosen to support my continued leadership. I look forward to playing a strong role as a leader and providing the best possible support for my teammates in the season to come. I am grateful for the time Monica and shared and sorry for the pain this has caused. I wish her nothing but happiness and success in the future. I won’t be making any further public comment on this matter at this time and ask that the privacy of those involved is respected,” added Gardner.
Gardner’s decision to address the issue comes as she prepares to continue her role as one of the senior figures in Australia’s women’s cricket setup. Despite the personal controversy, Cricket Australia’s backing means she will remain an important part of the team’s leadership structure. For now, Gardner has indicated that she does not intend to discuss the matter further publicly. Her statement therefore appears to draw a line under the issue from her side, with the focus now expected to return to her cricketing responsibilities.
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: crickettimes.com
