Heather Graham joins Australia squad as temporary replacement for Ashleigh Gardner

Gardner is currently undergoing a 10-day isolation period after testing positive for Covid-19 on the eve of the World Cup

Heather Graham has been called up to Australia’s main World Cup squad as a temporary replacement for Ashleigh Gardner.

Gardner is currently undergoing a 10-day isolation period after testing positive for Covid-19 on the eve of the World Cup. She missed her side’s 12-run victory over England on Saturday and will also miss Australia’s clash with Pakistan on March 8.

After being approved by the ICC, Graham, a travelling reserve, will be eligible for selection against Pakistan.

Under ordinary circumstances, reserve players can only be called up to main squad to replace injured teammates who are ruled out of the remainder of the tournament. However, temporary changes can be made if player availability is impacted by Covid-19.

^{Ashleigh Gardner [Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images]}

Graham was a late addition to the travelling party, replacing Hannah Darlington in the reserves after the young pacer pulled out of the tournament to focus on her mental health.

A pace-bowling allrounder, Graham has played just one ODI to date, scoring four runs and picking up one wicket on her international debut against Sri Lanka in 2019.

However, over the course of her List A career, she has proven herself to be a steady batter, averaging 26.11, and a regular wicket-taker, collecting 78 wickets in 74 appearances.

Graham will be in competition with fellow seam-bowling allrounders Annabel Sutherland and Nicola Carey and spin-bowling allrounders Grace Harris and Amanda-Jade Wellington for a spot in the XI. Sutherland replaced Gardner against England but conceded 42 runs from her six overs.

Gardner is expected to re-join the squad on March 12 but may not be fit to face New Zealand 24 hours later.