Ashleigh Gardner's new-found maturity has paved the way for her to become the first Indigenous player to claim one of Australian cricket's top honours.
Gardner was on Saturday named winner of the Belinda Clark Award, crowning her as Australia's best female player for the past 12 months.
The off-spinning allrounder was told by Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley of her award on Friday night, admitting she asked him more than once if he had the right person.
But Gardner's growth over the past year means she is a more than deserving recipient.
The 24-year-old found consistency in 2021, going from a big hitter to solid performer with 281 runs at 35.1 across all formats in the past year.
Ashleigh Gardner in action during day 4 of the Test match between Australia and India on the Gold Coast on 3 October 2021. Source: AAP
She scored four half-centuries in that time, highlighted by an unbeaten 73 in a successful T20 chase in New Zealand in March.
Gardner also produced her maiden Test half-century, against India, before backing it up against England in the Ashes match in Canberra.
"I've certainly grown up both on and off the field," Gardner said.
"I think maturing off the field probably has an impact on my game on the field.
"To have or to score my first ever half-century in a Test match was really special and I guess that did show a lot more maturity in my game."
Adding to Gardner's improvement, she was in the team's top-five run-scorers and top-three wicket-takers in each of the three formats.
Her nine wickets in the voting period was second most behind only Sophie Molineux.
Ashleigh Gardner has been named winner of the Belinda Clark Award, which comes with the title of being Australia's best female player for the past 12 months. Source: AAP
Gardner picked up 54 votes during the award period, to finish clear Beth Mooney (47) and Alyssa Healy (39).
Healy won Australia's one-day player of the year, while Mooney claimed the T20 honour.
Gardner's honour, meanwhile, comes just a month after fellow Indigenous star Scott Boland won the Johnny Mullagh Medal on Test debut at the MCG.
The pair are two of only four Indigenous Australians to have played Test cricket for the country, with Gardner now the first to receive a major award.
Gardner has previously spoken of how she used time off during the pandemic to closer connect to her mother's heritage.
"I probably never dreamt of ever winning this award and when I got the call yesterday, it took me by surprise," Gardner said.
"I was like are you sure I've won it?
"To be the first ever First Nations person to have won this award is super special for not only me but for my family and for my people as well."
