Cricket Australia affirms its stance following Ashleigh Gardner's outburst

Following an outburst from Australian star all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner, Cricket Australia (CA) clarified their stance on Australia's fixture against Pakistan on January 26. The apex board sympathized with Gardner's feelings but stated that the fixture was scheduled to continue an "ongoing education journey" about the indigenous community in the country.

Ashleigh Gardner had criticized the Australian cricket board after they had scheduled a match against Pakistan on January 26, a 'day of hurt and a day of mourning' for the indigenous Australians, according to the cricketer. Gardner, a Muruwari woman, had mixed feelings about taking the field on Australia Day but revealed she will remain available for selection and will try to educate people about the history and importance of the day.

However, Cricket Australia (CA) had consulted with an Indigenous advisory committee before scheduling the fixture against Pakistan in Hobart on January 26. The Australian team will also don a special Indigenous kit designed by two Indigenous women and will participate in a smoking ceremony before the match.

It is an opportunity to continue our ongoing education journey with First Nations people: CA

They supported Gardner's feelings with their latest stance, suggesting that the fixture was scheduled to educate the people about the indigenous community. CA have consulted with a Narrunga Kaurna woman and community leader Dr. Janine Mohamed to understand the impact of the historic day on First Australians.

"Cricket Australia 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," cricket.com.au stated.

Apart from Gardner, several of her Australian teammates Jess Jonassen, Alana King, and Hannah Darlington, voiced their support after she made her feelings known via her tweet.

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