Allrounder Ashleigh Gardner is relishing her return to North Sydney Oval as Australia bid to wrap up their three-match ODI series against South Africa with a game to spare.
Already 1-0 up courtesy of an eight-wicket win in Adelaide, Australia can seal a series victory on Wednesday in the first of two ODIs at the venue.
Undefeated at the picturesque ground in the one-day format since 2009, the venue has been a happy hunting ground for Australia and Gardner too.
The 26-year-old’s best ODI bowling figures on home soil came when she posted 3-30 against Pakistan at North Sydney last year.
In 2017 she previously set a WBBL highest-score record with 114 with the bat for the Sydney Sixers.
"Being able to stay home is a huge thing and to get back into your own environment," Gardner said.
“I love playing in this ground and I love playing in front of the fans when they come out and support really well, especially for the Sixers.
“Hopefully a few Sixers fans can come down as well.
“This is a fantastic ground for women's cricket and I'm just really excited to see the scores that can be put on out here.”
Stuck between her search for runs as well as wickets, Gardner did point out the intimate venue had its shortcomings, particularly when matches are played on side wickets rather than the middle strip.
“I don't think we've outgrown it necessarily but I think if we're going to play here we do need to play on the middle (wicket) because otherwise there is such a short side,” Gardner said.
“Hopefully for big games, like international games, we can be in the middle.
“I'm not sure what wicket we're on for the next couple of games but fingers crossed we can maximise the facility.”
Despite being undefeated in 16 ODIs against South Africa, Gardner is backing the tourists to respond from their drubbing in the series opener.
“The way our two opening bowlers started us off set the tone,” Gardner said.
“We know that they’re certainly not going to roll over tomorrow and they’ll come just as hard as they have in the T20s as well.”
