Gardner opted for the interstate move from the all-conquering NSW Breakers in search of greater batting opportunity at 50-over domestic level, and becomes the third Australian contracted player in the SA squad joining Megan Schutt and Amanda-Jade Wellington.

But she'll be back in Sydney over the summer as part of the Sixers' bid for back-to-back WBBL crowns, having played a massive role in last season's inaugural title triumph during which she blasted 414 runs.

"We're definitely ready to do it again this year," Gardner said.

"I got a really good opportunity with the ball for the Sixers as well last year. I was opening most games and I think that's pretty cool to be opening the bowling in the T20 format.

"As a spinner the more overs that I can get in every game, I guess, is just going to make me a better T20 bowler.

"We were always probably going to be one of the hunted teams [last season] rather than being the hunters and most of us girls like that.

"It just adds a little bit more pressure for you to perform. It's not a bad thing, you can definitely take out the positives of knowing that people really want to take down your team."

Gardner became the first Indigenous woman since Faith Thomas 59 years ago to represent Australia when she debuted earlier this year, and she cemented a spot at the recent women's World Cup in England where she took eight wickets with her off spin.

It capped a superb 12 months for the 20-year-old who also helped NSW win last season's WNCL crown.

Such is the batting depth of the Breakers, Gardner struggled to carve out many opportunities with the willow last season at domestic level, forever stuck behind the likes of fellow Australian stars Alyssa Healy, Alex Blackwell, Ellyse Perry and Rachael Haynes.

"I'm going to get a really good opportunity here in the 50-over format batting a lot higher than what I was for NSW," Gardner said of the SA move.

"There's so many Australian players in that NSW team the highest I probably can get is about six or seven. If I want to get better personally throughout the 50-over format I just need to have more time out in the middle and I guess that's going to put me in good stead hopefully for another Australian selection.

"It was something that I've probably wanted to do over the past year, but it all happened pretty quickly. I've got some good friends here and that's probably another reason why I came here as well.

"It's a lot slower paced than what Sydney is. That's a good thing, the traffic is so much better."