Australia's top order can rack up enough runs to make up for the loss of injured captain Meg Lanning when the women's Ashes begins on Sunday, according to all-rounder Ash Gardner.
Lanning scored a third of the side's runs in her last 13 one-day internationals before succumbing to the shoulder injury that ruled her out for the entire series against England.
The prolific 25-year-old has amassed 11 ODI hundreds and averages nearly 55 in the 50-over format for Australia.
While acknowledging Lanning's uncanny ability to make big scores, the 20-year-old off-spinner said there were plenty of others waiting for their chance to fill the void.
"So many girls can put their hand up and score hundreds - they have big scores in them and are definitely ready," Gardner said ahead of Sunday's series-opening one-day clash in Brisbane.
Recently-installed captain Rachael Haynes, experienced middle-order pair Alex Blackwell and Elyse Villani, and openers Nicole Bolton and Beth Mooney will get their chance to lay the platform for Australia's innings.
All-rounder Ellyse Perry had success when elevated into the top six at the World Cup, while Gardner piled on the runs in last season's Women's Big Bash League but has regularly batted at No.9 in her 13 appearances for Australia.
"Our team is so diverse and can bat anywhere in the order, which is probably a strength in Australian cricket at the moment," Gardner said.
"We don't want to be a team relying on one person and the girls most definitely back themselves to fill her spot."
Preparations have been hampered by constant rain in Brisbane this week, although an internal trial was possible on Friday.
Gardner hopes to win a spot in the side and get her first taste of Ashes cricket.
"Being so young still, it would really just be a dream come true," she said.
"The rivalry is no different to the men's; we'll be going out there to really shake things up."
The multi-format Ashes series includes three 50-over clashes before a day-night Test match and three T20s.
Four points are given for a Test win and two for a draw, with two points awarded for victories in one-dayers and T20s to decide who wins the series.
Share
