Cricket news 2023: Star Ashleigh Gardner takes a bold stance on Australia Day, January 26

Gardner will still play for Australia against Pakistan in Hobart on Thursday night but has made it clear she disapproves of her own organization playing the national team on a “day of mourning” for the indigenous people.

The bold Twitter post sparked a firestorm on social media, prompting team-mates led by Jessica Jonassen and Alana King, as well as Fox Cricket presenter Isa Guha, to support Gardner, a proud Muruwari woman and reigning medalist from Belinda Clark .

In addition to wearing an Indigenous game shirt when they face Pakistan in the T20, the Australian women’s team will wear socks and armbands in the colors of the Aboriginal flag.

But Gardner insists Australia shouldn’t play at all on January 26.

“As a proud Muruwari woman and as I reflect on what January 26 means to me and my people, it is a day of pain and a day of mourning,” Gardner wrote on Twitter.

“My culture is something that is very close to my heart and something I always speak up so proudly when asked about it.

“I’m also fortunate enough to play cricket for a living, which is something I dreamed of growing up.

“Unfortunately this year the Australian women’s cricket team is due to play a game on January 26th which I certainly don’t like as an individual but neither do all the people I represent.”

Gardner was criticized and berated by social media trolls for her stance, but her teammates supported her.

“Seeing the comments on this story reaffirms the importance of educating our society about the issues our First Nations still face and what they have and continue to endure,” said fellow Australian star Jonassen.

Australian spinner Alana King wrote, “We’re ok with your girl” with a clenched fist emoji.

The voice of Fox Cricket Guha expressed dismay at some of the reactions to Gardner’s stance.

“Some of the comments here indicate a lack of empathy towards this issue,” Guha wrote.

“The cricket community needs to come together and show that indigenous communities are truly welcome here rather than even more surely pushing them out?”

Cricket Australia has decided not to schedule any Big Bash League matches on January 26 this year and will not refer to the day as Australia Day in any marketing of Thursday night’s women’s T20 match in Hobart.

According to Gardner, it is inappropriate for the Australian women’s team to play and CA said they understand their view.

“For the past three years, Cricket Australia has designated the day as 26 January rather than Australia Day, reflecting our vision of being a sport for all and providing a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment for all those involved in cricket,” said CA in an opinion.

“Cricket Australia recognizes that 26 January is a day of multiple meanings and evokes mixed feelings in communities of our rich diversity. We respectfully acknowledge that for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people it is a challenging day and for some people the day is seen as a day of mourning.

“Cricket Australia understands and recognizes Ash’s position and appreciates her leadership and the contributions of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to the game of cricket.”

Despite her objections, Gardner said she will play the match anyway and try to use the platform to educate people about why it’s a painful day for Indigenous Australians.

“As a national team, we have a platform to raise awareness about certain issues and I use that platform to hopefully help educate others on a journey of learning about the world’s longest living culture,” Gardner said.

“For those who don’t understand exactly what this day means, it was the beginning of genocide, massacres and dispossessions.

“When I step onto the field for this game, I will certainly reflect on all my ancestors and the lives of the people who have changed from that day.”

Originally published as Cricket News 2023: Teammates, Isa Guha rally behind star Ashleigh Gardner after strong showing on January 26th