The Australia Women’s National Cricket Team has made the bold decision to put player safety first by outlawing the controversial ‘Vortex’ delivery during warm-up drills. Following an alarming incident in which Ashleigh Gardner, an all-round player, appeared to have suffered a concussion while trying to catch a soft ‘Vortex’ ball, this decision has been made. The entire series against New Zealand and the forthcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup will see the ban in place.
Gardner’s Injury Incident Sparks Safety Concerns
Before the opening Twenty20 International match against New Zealand, Gardner and teammate Georgia Wareham clashed during a regular warm-up. Gardner seemed indifferent at first, even laughing off the incident, but she quickly broke down in tears as she feared she had suffered her seventh concussion in her career. She was spared a major injury, thanks to medical evaluations, and she was able to play in the second Twenty20 International. She finished with figures of 3 for 16, which helped her team win by 29 runs.
In retrospect, Gardner said she was relieved to be back on the field and that the team would not be doing Vortex exercises any more for the duration of their tour. “It’s been nice to get back out there after a weird occasion,” she said. “Prior to Sunday’s game, there was no indication of the Vortex. For the remainder of the trip, that is the end of the Vortex.” The conversation over player safety procedures and the dangers of particular training exercises has been rekindled in light of this tragedy.
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A Call For Improvement
As Australia prepares for its final match against New Zealand and the impending T20 World Cup in Dubai, Gardner has emphasized the need for her teammates to elevate their performance. Despite their recent victories, she noted that there is still significant room for improvement. “There’s still a lot left in the tank; hopefully in this last game we can put a massive total on the board,” Gardner remarked. She highlighted the challenges they may face in unfamiliar conditions during the World Cup but expressed confidence in their capabilities.
In their most recent game, captain Alyssa Healy made the calculated choice to bat first in an attempt to establish a rapid pace ahead of their World Cup defense. But Australia collapsed batting, losing their final seven wickets for just 28 runs, highlighting areas that require improvement before playing in international cricket.
The Australian cricket team’s decision to forgo the Vortex delivery is a significant step towards guaranteeing player safety and demonstrates their dedication to upholding high standards as they prepare for one of the sport’s biggest events. With Gardner setting an exemplary example and encouraging her teammates to do better, Australia hopes to establish itself as a serious competitor on the international scene.
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