Sydney Sixers general manager Rachael Haynes has wrapped her arms around Ashleigh Gardner and given the star her blessing to continue as WBBL captain.

The all-rounder’s personal life made headlines this month after her ex-wife Monica Wright alleged in explosive Instagram posts that Gardner had an affair with Georgia Voll, who plays with Gardner in Australia’s Test and white-ball teams.

Ashleigh Gardner celebrates Australia’s 2026 T20 World Cup victory. AP

Haynes spoke to media on Thursday after confirmation Matthew Mott and Peter Clarke would coach the Sixers’ BBL and WBBL squads respectively in the 2026-2027 summer, where she was asked if she’d been in contact with Gardner.

“I’m not going to comment on her personal life or anything like that,” Haynes said.

“But, certainly, we’ve exchanged messages. I’ve checked in with her. She knows that we’re here to support her.

“She’s a well-respected player within our program, an important player for us, so I think the most important thing is her knowing that we’re there for her, we care about her and look forward to continuing with the club ongoing.”

Asked if Gardner would continue as captain, Haynes said that would “absolutely” be the case.

“Each year we make a recommendation to our board around our leaders,” she said.

“She’s certainly someone who did a fantastic job last year, and we’ll certainly be making that recommendation to our board that she continues.”

Mott oversaw four triumphant World Cup campaigns in his time as Australia’s women’s coach.

Ashleigh Gardner (right) with her now ex-wife in 2025. Getty Images for Cricket Australia

He’s stepped up as Sixers men’s coach after the sacking of Greg Shipperd and the short-lived tenure of James Hopes, who quit to take control of the Queensland Bulls and Brisbane Heat only weeks after scoring the Sydney job.

“I think to have someone like Matthew Mott stepping into our men’s head coach role, Pete Clarke who was announced earlier today [as WBBL coach], very excited with where we’ve ended up,” Haynes said.

“It’s been a little bit of a journey to get here, but I think we’ve got two world-class coaches stepping in to lead our programs.”

The Sixers will begin their 2026-27 WBBL campaign against the Heat at Hurstville Oval on October 12.