‘It’s a day of mourning…’: Australian cricketer Ashleigh Gardner criticises game scheduled on Jan 26

New Delhi: Australian cricketer Ashleigh Gardner took a stance to condemn the match schedule for the Australian women’s team on January 26 as Australia Day marks the day of mourning for her community. Gardner shared a lengthy note on social media saying that being a Muruwari woman, this day means a day of mourning and hurt for her. Cricket Australia also came ahead in her support.

Sharing a post, Gardner wrote that January 26 means a day of mourning for Indigenous Australians and she is close to her culture and is ‘always proud’ to speak about it. She added that she feels fortunate to play cricket for her country but the schedule on January 26 does not ‘fit well’ with her and the people she represents. The cricketer said that she wants to use the platform to educate people about the ‘genocides, massacre and dispossession that began on this day.

??❤️ pic.twitter.com/xcXRciCFqU

— Ashleigh Gardner (@akgardner97) January 21, 2023

The all-rounder ended the note by saying that when she will get to the field to play on January 26, she will be reflecting upon the lives of her ancestors that changed from this day.

Cricket Australia also issued a statement in her support and criticised the game scheduled on this day. The statement added that the day will be used to continue their ‘education journey with First Nations people’.

Cricket Australia says it supports Ashleigh Gardner’s stance after the allrounder criticised the decision to schedule a game for January 26 #AUSvPAK https://t.co/VuKGKMf2An

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 22, 2023

26 January 1788 marks the day in Australian history when the arrival of the ‘first fleet’ of the first white settlers to the country.

Australia and Pakistan’s women’s teams are set to play the second T20I of the three-match series on January 26 in Hobart. Though a final decision on the scheduling is awaited amid Cricket Australia’s condemning the game, as per AP, Australian players are likely to perform a barefoot ceremony and wear an indigenous-themed uniform before the match.