Australia skipper Meg Lanning supports Ashleigh Gardner after her statement on indigenous people

Australia skipper Meg Lanning has shown her support and revealed that the entire team is behind Ashleigh Gardner, after her statement on indigenous Australians. The 25-year-old, made her views clear on Sunday, when she stated that January 26 is a ‘day of hurt and a day of mourning’ for people of her community and thus, it will be difficult for her to take the field on that day against Pakistan.

Notably, the match was initially scheduled to take place on January 27 but Cricket Australia decided to move the date to January 26, after South Africa men’s team decided to abandon the ODI series against the Kangaroos. Now, in support of Gardner and all the indigenous people, Meg Lanning-led side will wear an indigenous jersey, wristbands and socks with indigenous colours for the match on January 26 in Hobart.

Lanning also revealed that the players have raised an issue about this previously and also want to educate themselves about the same. The 30-year-old also mentioned that everyone in the team is in support of Gardner and understands her feeling around the day.

“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 Nation people", Lanning said.

"We're going to try to use the opportunity we have to educate ourselves and try to create a better understanding of what it means and their culture. It's a really united front in the group and we all support Ash and her feelings around the day”, Lanning stated.

Indigenous elements to become part of all Big Bash League uniforms next season

In support of the indigenous community, Cricket Australia has decided to include elements that represent them in the Big Bash League uniforms (BBL) next season. In the meantime, the women’s team will be seen wearing a First Nations jersey throughout next month's T20 World Cup in South Africa.

Meg Lanning further continued, “It's something that we've been working on as a group for a number of years. We've been trying to use every opportunity that we get to educate ourselves and try to celebrate the culture of First Nations people as well and try to make a point of that."

"We're doing a cultural tour the day before (January 26) to learn a little bit more. It's something as a group that we've spoken about for the past few years, it hasn't just come up now. We'll continue to do that because we think it's important”, the Australia skipper concluded.

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