Monica Wright criticises Cricket Australia over Ashleigh Gardner leadership amid cheating row
On August 8, 2026, Monica Wright, the estranged wife of Australia women's vice-captain Ashleigh Gardner, told Code Sports she was critical of Cricket Australia's handling of a cheating row and urged that Gardner be stripped of her leadership role. Wright's intervention follows allegations she first made public in July concerning Gardner and fellow player Georgia Voll.
Wright first brought the matter into the public domain in July after sharing a Daily Mail report on her Instagram story and suggested the report did not provide the complete picture, indicating she would reveal her version of events. She later posted a photograph of Voll and alleged that the cricketer was the person involved in Gardner's alleged infidelity, and the dispute centres on those claims about Gardner and Georgia Voll.
“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,” Wright told Code Sports. “What I can’t understand is why Cricket Australia hasn’t said anything publicly. Does their silence mean they support the actions of Ashleigh and Georgia? You can’t have an affair with a junior member of staff, especially when there’s a clear power imbalance, and then remain in a position of leadership. Captains are expected to set the standard, and that kind of conduct falls well short of it,” she added.
Cricket Australia said the matter was considered personal and private while reiterating its workplace policy in a separate 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 in its statement.
Gardner and Wright were married in April 2025 but their relationship subsequently broke down, with a Daily Mail report citing claims that tensions emerged while Gardner was in India for the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup. Wright also travelled to India during the tournament, and a source described their meeting there as uncomfortable; the pair have since separated and reports suggest Gardner has moved out of the Sydney home they previously shared.
Despite the controversy, Gardner has received backing within Australian cricket: her Women's Big Bash League side, the Sydney Sixers, has reportedly stood by the all-rounder, according to news.com.au. Gardner continues to be regarded as a key player and was recently part of the squad that extended Australia's record in the Women's T20 World Cup, with Australia claiming its seventh Women's T20 World Cup title in eight final appearances.
Cricket Australia has maintained it views the issue as a private matter and, for now, Gardner's position within the Australian team remains unchanged.
