Cricket great exposes Australia Day furore

The cricket legend’s comments come as a fresh storm erupted over the date-change debate and cricket’s scheduling conflict with the increasingly controversial January 26 date. Aussie Indigenous star Ashleigh Gardner on Sunday criticised Cricket Australia over the governing body’s decision to re-schedule a women’s T20 international fixture between Australia and Pakistan on Australia Day in Hobart. No BBL matches will be played on January 26. Watch BBL12. Every game live and ad-break free during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >Gardner revealed her opposition to the move in an Instagram post, describing the national holiday as “a day of hurt and a day of mourning”.Gillespie has now called for the date to be changed, putting further pressure on cricket officials. Gillespie has in the past lauded cricket’s efforts to change its ways but feels the date change would be an important step forward.“A day in which all Australians can celebrate would be my preference,’’ Gillespie told News Corp on Sunday.“What a lot of people don’t realise is that history shows Australia Day has not always been celebrated on January 26.“The conversations need to continue to explore an alternative.’’It highlights the slow decline of the holiday as a former marquee day on the summer cricketing schedule.Cricket has previously been a leader in public shows of support and respect for Indigenous community causes and received approval for the Australia Day fixture from its Indigenous advisory committee.The committee holds an advisory position as part of Cricket Australia’s commitment to its Reconciliation Action Plan. The governing body released a statement on Sunday.“Cricket Australia acknowledges 26 January is a day that has multiple meanings and evokes mixed feelings in communities across our richly diverse nation,” a CA statement read.“We respectfully acknowledge it is a challenging day for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and for some people the day is regarded as a day of mourning. Cricket Australia understands and acknowledges Ash’s position and appreciates her leadership and the contributions of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to the game of cricket.“We will use the T20 International scheduled for 26 January as an opportunity to continue our ongoing education journey with First Nations people.”Gardner will play in the Thursday fixture against Pakistan.“As a proud Muruwari woman and reflecting on what Jan 26 means to me and my people it is a day of hurt and a day of mourning,” Gardner wrote on social media.“My culture is something I hold close to my heart and something I’m always so proud to speak about whenever asked.“I also am fortunate enough to play cricket for a living which is something I dreamt of as a kid.“Unfortunately this year the Australian women’s cricket team has been scheduled to play a game on the 26th of Jan which certainly doesn’t sit well with me as an individual but also all the people I’m representing.“As a national team we have a platform to raise awareness about certain issues and I’m using this platform to hopefully help educate others on a journey to learn about the longest living culture in the world.“For those who don’t have a good understanding of what that day means it was the beginning of genocide, massacres and dispossession.“When I take the field for this game I will certainly be reflecting and thinking about all of my ancestors and people’s lives who changed from this day.”Gardner is just the second Indigenous woman to represent Australia at Test level. Gillespie was the first Indigenous Australian to play at Test level, despite an Indigenous cricket side being the first Australian team to tour England in 1868. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au