Australia’s Ash Gardner has been praised by her teammates for taking a stand against playing a Twenty20 against Pakistan on January 26 this year. Cricket Australia had announced that the two teams would play the match on Australia’s national day.
Gardner, who is a Wiradjuri woman, made her feelings known to Cricket Australia and her team management that she was uncomfortable playing the match on that date. She said that it was “not a good look” and that it was disrespectful to Indigenous Australians.
Gardner’s teammates, past and present, have backed her stance, with many thanking her for speaking up and standing her ground. Australian captain Meg Lanning said she was “incredibly proud” of Gardner’s stance and said that respect must be extended to all cultures.
Former Australian wicket-keeper Alyssa Healy said that she was “blown away” by Gardner’s decision and added that “we should all be listening to Indigenous voices”.
Gardner’s team-mate Rachael Haynes shared a message of support for the all-rounder, saying that “we should all stand together and respect each other”.
The stance taken by Gardner has been widely welcomed by cricket fans and the wider Australian public. Many have praised her bravery in speaking up and highlighted how important it is that we all take a stand on issues that matter.
Gardner’s stance shows that sport can be an important vehicle for change and an opportunity to make a difference. It is also a reminder that we all have a duty to stand up for what we believe in and that we all have a voice.
In the end, the cricket match was moved to the next day, January 27, but the impact of Gardner’s stance will last long after the final ball has been bowled. Her actions have been a powerful reminder that we can all make a difference and have an impact on the world around us.