Ash Gardner has admitted her reputation has been “tarnished” as she reflects publicly for the first time on the alleged cheating scandal that rocked Australian women’s cricket.

The all-rounder’s personal life became the target of public scrutiny in July when her estranged spouse Monica Wright claimed she had engaged in an affair with teammate Georgia Voll during the Women’s World Cup in India late last year.

Due to her standing as Australian vice captain, Gardner, 29, released a brief public statement in August saying she was “sorry for the pain this has caused” and that she would continue to act as a leader within the side.

For the first time, the star player has spoken at length about the situation, lamenting the reality her alleged off-field behaviour had overshadowed her side’s performance.

“My reputation has been tarnished with the public, but I guess something that I always try to strive to do when representing any team that I play in is be the best teammate that I can, and hopefully show what this team means to me when I’m playing for them,” Gardner told The Australian.

“Playing sport at a high level, you’re open to having a platform, and sometimes with this comes interest from the public, and they want to know things about your personal life, and they invest, and then can make judgment either way of what you are or aren’t doing.”

Gardner revealed she was blindsided by the story when it first broke in July.

Her ex-wife Wright, 30, had posted an Instagram story framing younger teammate Voll as Gardner’s supposed lover.

“This is who my wife cheated on me with . . .,” she wrote, sharing an image of 23-year-old Voll.

Shortly afterwards, a scorned Wright questioned why Cricket Australia had allowed Gardner to retain her leadership position, despite being aware of the supposed affair for months.

“I think if you’re privileged enough to represent your country and be seen as a role model, there’s a responsibility to hold yourself to a high moral standard,” she told The Daily Telegraph.

“What I can’t understand is why Cricket Australia hasn’t said anything publicly.

“Does their silence mean they support the actions of Ashleigh and Georgia?”

The two-time Belinda Clark medallist, awarded to Australia’s best women’s player, has now conceded she was “surprised” and “naive” as to the media traction the story had received.

“I was certainly surprised, as you could imagine,” Gardner said.

“I certainly didn’t expect the situation to take the path that it did, or to become as public as what it did. But I also understand that everyone has their own way of dealing with difficult situations.

“I guess for me, the important thing (is) over this last period, I’ve obviously had time to reflect on what’s happened and making sure to have those conversations with the people that I’ve needed to, whether that’s internally and just focus on moving forward for the team. I think (that) is the most important thing.”

Gardner said she could “understand” the perspective of her ex-wife.

However, she claimed the dressing room had remained in her corner, despite any past indiscretions.

“I know deep down (my teammates) still think that I’m a good person and I’ve just made some poor decisions. I guess that’s the best thing, and being able to reflect on that has been really important for me,” she said.

Australia Women take on Bangladesh on Friday in the first of three ODIs to be played in Brisbane.