Gardner abused over Australia Day stance
AUSTRALIAN captain Meg Lanning has revealed teammate Ash Gardner has been attacked online for her comments criticising Cricket Australia’s decision to play a match on January 26 but declared the team is “fully supportive” of the star’s stance.
Gardner, a Muruwari woman, used social media to express her disappointment that Australia will play Pakistan in the second of three T20 matches on a date that she says brings “hurt and mourning” to her and her people.
Cricket Australia won’t refer to January 26 as Australia Day, but the historical significance of the date and the hurt it brings First Nations people is why Gardner spoke out.
Lanning said Gardner’s conviction should be praised.
“We’ve had a lot of discussions as a group around the game on Jan 26,” Lanning said.
“We’re fully supportive of Ash and her stance and her feelings and views around it.
“It’s something that we can’t control in terms of the scheduling and playing on that day, but something we would like to do is acknowledge the sadness and grief that day brings for First Nations people.”
Gardner, the second Indigenous woman to play Test cricket for Australia, said she would play on Thursday to represent her ancestors.
The all-rounder was the victim of vile abuse on social media from people who attacked her stance.
Lanning praised her teammate.
“She’s given us amazing insight into what impact the day has on First Nations people,” she said.
“I think she’s been really brave.”
The first game of the T20 series is on Tuesday at North Sydney Oval.