Proud Muruwari woman and cricket player Ash Gardner has made an eloquent public statement expressing her disappointment that the Australian Women’s Cricket Team is scheduled to play a match on January 26.
Gardner said it “does not sit well” with her to play an international match on January 26 because it is a “day of hurt and a day of mourning” for her people.
Gardner said she will still take the field in Tasmania, but will be thinking of her ancestors and people’s lives who “changed from this day”. The Australian team is set to play Pakistan in a three-match T20 International series, starting on Tuesday. The second match of the series will take place on January 26.
“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.
Gardner said she wants to use her national platform to educate others about what the public holiday means for Indigenous people.
“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.”
In a statement, Cricket Australia said it acknowledges “26 January is a day that has multiple meanings and evokes mixed feelings in communities across our richly diverse nation.”
“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.”