Indigenous stars speak out on Cricket Australia's January 26 scheduling
Indigenous cricketer Scott Boland says players should be consulted on playing matches on January 26 going forward.
His comments come after top women's player Ash Gardner doubled down on her criticism of Cricket Australia for scheduling games on what is currently the Australia Day public holiday.
The men's Test team will play the West Indies at the Gabba from January 25 next year, meaning day two of the match will be on the 26th.
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Gardner has been strong in her stance that the governing body should snub the date entirely given its hurtful meaning to many Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, signifying the 1788 invasion by white settlers.
"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 ahead of the fixture earlier this year.
Scott Boland of Australia. Cricket Australia via Getty Imag
"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."
Despite Gardner's suggestion to not play on January 26, Cricket Australia has schedules the men's Test for next year.
Boland - Australia's only current Indigenous men's Test cricketer - agrees it could have been handled differently by the governing body.
"It's a day of mourning for a lot of people," Boland told The Sydney Morning Herald.
"I'm not sure January 26 is the day that is inclusive of everyone. Maybe it's a bit of a broader discussion for other people.
Cricket Australia's Indigenous jerseys worn by Alex Carey and Ash Gardner. Cricket Australia
"Unfortunately it's not for players to decide when we play. CA sorts out the schedule.
"I still think I'd play. I don't think it's a day to celebrate.
"The Test schedule this summer is a bit different to the last few years, given it's been pushed back due to the World Cup. I'm sure moving forward Cricket Australia… might set out a different plan."
Fellow Test cricketer Usman Khawaja on Monday suggested January 26 could be avoided in the schedule.
"I can only speak for myself. I don't have an issue with it," Khawaja said.
"But if First Nations people and if communities do, then I think we need to explore that and talk about it."
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