'Muruwari' member Ashleigh Gardner condemns 'colonisation day match', calls out Cricket Australia with emotional statement

Australia are set to play Pakistan on Thursday, January 26, and this decision has been condemned by star Australian all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner, who is also a member of the indigenous community 'Muruwari', in a statement that she posted on social media. January 26 is commemorated as the country's national day, which is the arrival of the 'first fleet', which brought the first white settlers to Australia.

However, while most Australians celebrate this as an occasion, some indigenous communities view this day as 'Invasion Day or Colonization Day' given the seizure of lands and the diminution of the indigenous Australian culture that the foreigners brought to the country.

Reiterating this fact in her statement, Gardner says that this is a 'day of hurt and a day of mourning' for her people, and playing a match on the day 'certainly doesn't sit well with me as an individual but also all the people I'm representing.'

“For those who don't have a good understanding of what that day means it was the beginning of genocide, massacres and dispossession,” she said.

“When I take the field for this game I will certainly be reflecting and thinking about all of my ancestors and peoples' lives who changed from this day.”

Cricket Australia has yet to confirm the details of the match. The Australian Associated Press reported the Australian players would perform a barefoot ceremony before the game and wear an indigenous-themed uniform.

"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. 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. 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," the statement read.

In 2021, Cricket Australia became the first Australian national sports body to phase out the use of the term Australia Day. Then Prime Minister Scott Morrison was highly critical of the move.

The Australian women last played on Jan. 26 in 2016.