Aussie cricket bosses make shock decision about the most controversial day on the national calendar - and fans will be furious
The Big Bash League will conclude on Sunday, January 25, but there will be no major cricket game on the following day.
Cricket Australia has grappled with how to treat the national public holiday after controversially banning the term 'Australia Day' four years ago.
Last summer cricket wasn't played on the day because it clashed with the Australian Open tennis - but that won't be the case in 2026.
In late 2024, Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg said that going forward Australia Day will be celebrated and cricket will be played - so it is a surprise that there will be no cricket in 2026.
The decision to schedule the Test over the Australia Day weekend in 2024 was itself controversial, with women's all-rounder Ash Gardner previously describing it as a day of 'hurt and mourning'.
Gardner found support from men's Test captain Pat Cummins and star batter Steve Smith.
Both claimed January 26 is not an appropriate time to celebrate the national holiday, with the date a highly controversial issue due to the landing of the First Fleet from Britain in Australia.
Smith formed his view after chatting with teammate Scott Boland, who has Indigenous heritage.
However Cricket Australia's attempt to placate such opponents by shying away from acknowledging the national day also angered players who wanted the day celebrated.
Former Test player Greg Ritchie was one of those.
'I am quite disappointed to read the Cricket Australia has decided not to use the phrase 'Australia Day' for this Test match,' Ritchie said.
'It will be at the Gabba, which is my home ground, and to have an Australia Day Test there is special.'
The stance of the cricketers who support not playing on the day angered some sections of the public, with 3AW Morning host Tom Elliott scathing in his criticism of Cummins.
'He makes me angry,' Elliott said.
'He sits there and pontificates, saying "ah, well Australia Day is a source of hurt for so many people, we have to move the date".
'Hey Pat Cummins, you get paid millions of dollars to pay cricket. If it wasn't for the British settlement of Australia there wouldn't be cricket here.
'So you make money, quite directly, out of the fact we were colonised by the UK.
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