Camera IconThe messy marriage breakdown has reportedly causing tension within the team. Credit: ashleigh_gardner97 & little.bit.of.monicaa/Instagram

Australian cricket star Ash Gardner has split from her wife in a messy breakup that has reportedly caused tension within the women’s team.

Gardner — who is vice captain of the Australian women’s cricket team — married environmental scientist Monica Wright in April last year, in a secluded Blue Mountains ceremony after they met on a dating app in 2020.

Tensions reportedly emerged within the marriage late last year when Ms Wright flew to India to join her wife for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup.

A source close to the team told Daily Mail there was “awkwardness” among the couple and the team during the tour.

Camera IconAsh Gardner and Monica Wright tied the knot in April 2025. Credit: ashleigh_gardner97/Instagram
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“It was like something was a little bit off with Ash, but we thought it was because of the pressure of the World Cup,” the source said.

It’s understood the couple had a conversation during this trip which left Wright “distraught” and ended their marriage.

The 29-year-old cricketer is understood to have moved out of their shared home when she returned to Sydney after the tournament, with Ms Wright remaining in the home.

“Ash left one day. Monica came home and everything of Ash’s was gone, except for the rings,” the source added.

Camera IconMonica Wright and Ashleigh Gardner attending the 2025 Cricket Australia Awards in Melbourne. Credit: Graham Denholm/Getty Images for Cricket Austral

“She left the wedding rings in the cupboard. Just the box of wedding rings, and that was it.”

It is believed news of the split came as a shock to members of the cricket team, some of whom had built up friendships with Ms Wright over the years.

PerthNow has reached out to Ms Gardner, Ms Wright and Cricket Australia for a comment.

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