Gardner, a Muruwari lady, mentioned it was not acceptable for the nationwide aspect to be enjoying on what is named Australia Day – the day the primary fleet arrived in 1788 – and that it’s a day of “hurt and a day of mourning” for Indigenous folks.
She indicated she is going to stay out there for choice for the match – the second within the collection towards (*26*) – and can use her place to coach others on the historical past surrounding the day.
“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 posted on social media on Sunday morning.
“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 yr the Australian girls’s cricket workforce has been scheduled to play a game on the twenty sixth of Jan which actually does not sit nicely with me as a person but additionally all of the folks I’m representing.”
As part of its Reconciliation Action Plan, CA consults with an Indigenous advisory committee that approved the decision to play the fixture on January 26.
The Australian team will perform a barefoot ceremony before the match and wear a special Indigenous-themed jersey in a bid to celebrate Australia’s First people.
CA will not reference Australia Day in promotion around the match, a decision they first took in early 2021 during the BBL and which was criticised by former Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
“As a nationwide workforce now we have a platform to lift consciousness about sure points and I’m utilizing this platform to hopefully assist educate others on a journey to be taught concerning the longest residing tradition on the planet,” Gardner wrote.
“For those that haven’t got a very good understanding of what that day means it was the start 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 2018, Gardner was half of the Aboriginal XI squads who toured England to mark 150 years for the reason that 1868 journey by the primary Australian aspect in any sport to tour internationally.
She is one of 4 Indigenous cricketers to symbolize Australia at Test degree alongside Faith Thomas, Jason Gillespie and Scott Boland.
AAP contributed to this report