Aussie star Ashleigh Gardner has called out Cricket Australia for scheduling an international fixture on January 26.
The date has officially been labelled Australia Day since it was made a national public holiday in 1994.
But while some see it as a day of celebration, for many – particularly indigenous Australians – that date signifies pain and trauma.
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It marks the 1788 invasion of Australia by British fleets, and the subsequent genocide of Aboriginal people.
Gardner, who is a proud indigenous Australian, will line up at Blundstone Arena on Thursday to take on Pakistan in a Twenty20.
But she took to social media on Sunday to denounce the decision to play a game on a date that should be commemorated, not celebrated.
“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 said.
“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.”
Cricket Australia has chosen to not schedule at Big Bash League matches on January 26.
The Australia-Pakistan match in Hobart is not being marketed in relation to Australia Day.
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