Latest news with #AshGardner
BBC News
08-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Willey and Gardner handed Rockets' captaincy
Trent Rockets have named David Willey and Ash Gardner as captain of their men's and women's teams England all-rounder Willey, 35, replaces Lewis Gregory as captain for his first season at Trent Gardner takes over from England skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt, who stepped down from the role to manage her 28, joined the Rockets for her first taste of The Hundred last year, finishing as both the side's second-highest run-scorer and leading wicket-taker."Playing for the Rockets last year was so much fun and it will be incredible this year to lead the team," said Gardner."Taking over from Nat is an honour, and we have a great squad this year so I'm really excited to get going as captain."Trent Rockets' first fixtures are against Birmingham Phoenix on 8 August. Both the men's and women's side finished fifth last season.
News.com.au
02-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
The 42-day Big Bash season won't include games on Christmas Day or Australia Day
Big Bash officials have once again baulked at putting a match on Christmas Day and will finish the 42-day tournament on the eve of Australia Day. Only a washout of the final will put cricket on January 26. A December 14 start for the tournament has been locked in with a Boxing Day showdown between the Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Stars and a 13th consecutive News Year's Eve clash in Adelaide among the fixture highlights. Pakistan star Babar Azam looms as the headline international act this season, with several of his teammates, including speed demon Shaheen Shaf Afridi, joining the playing ranks. An Ashes Test series will rob the Big Bash of the best Australian and English talent until the final two or three weeks of the tournament, which will finish on January 25, with January 26 slotted as a reserve day for the final. Here it is! Your #BBL15 schedule has landed ðŸ—'ï¸� — KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) July 2, 2025 Cricket Australia hasn't played on January 26 since 2023 and has refrained from any mention of Australia Day amid concerns from some players, including Indigenous women's star Ash Gardner, about the implications of playing on a day that has different significance among Australians. Christmas Day was also ruled out, meaning the NBL remains the only Australian sport willing to take the plunge on that day. 'With uninterrupted action every night of the regular season and all the marquee games our fans love, this schedule ensures the BBL remains the heartbeat of summer,' Big Bash boss Alastair Dobson said. 'The fan-favourite fixtures, combined with the family-friendly entertainment that makes the Big Bash, has BBL|15 well positioned to build on the success of last summer. 'We were blown away by the quality of overseas talent signed via the BBL draft and can't wait to see these global superstars in action alongside some of Australia's biggest names.' Despite making himself eligible, English pace ace Jofra Archer was overlooked in the BBL draft, with clubs fearful he would be unavailable due to the Ashes.
Daily Mail
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Aussie cricket bosses make shock decision about the most controversial day on the national calendar - and fans will be furious
Cricket fans across the nation won't see any games played on Australia Day in 2026 - marking the second year in a row the sport's bosses have backed out of holding matches on the public holiday. 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.
BBC News
28-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Sciver-Brunt relinquishes Trent Rockets captaincy
England skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt has decided to relinquish the captaincy of Trent Rockets in this year's edition of The Sport understands Sciver-Brunt has decided to step down from the role to manage her workloads over the summer before the 50-over World Cup in India from 30 September. Sciver-Brunt succeeded Heather Knight as England captain in April, a month after she became a parent for the first 32-year-old will still play for the Rockets in the competition but has decided to step down from her captaincy commitments. Sciver-Brunt is the Rockets' joint best-paid player in The Hundred on £65,000 along with Australian Ash Gardner, who could replace her as the franchise's those also contention for the role at the Rockets are former England Under-19 skipper Grace Scrivens and Lancashire captain Ellie Threlkeld.
West Australian
26-04-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Mitchell Johnson: AFL Anzac Day game a reminder that cricket needs to find a resolution to Australia Day mess
I can only imagine the feeling of playing at the MCG on Anzac Day as it carries a profound sense of honour and remembrance. The annual clash between Essendon and Collingwood is one of the biggest events of the AFL season, regularly attracting crowds of more than 90,000. Their silence for the pre-match ceremony, as players and spectators alike reflect on the sacrifices made by servicemen and women, is as powerful as their roar. Playing in that sort of atmosphere must be electric, on a day where the spirit of sportsmanship blends with national pride, and the match serves as a tribute to those who fought for Australia and New Zealand. The sense of camaraderie and respect between opponents on the field that day surely adds an extra layer of significance to the competition. It's not just a game; it's a heartfelt reminder of the values that unite the nation. Thirty years on from its advent in 1995, the Essendon-Collingwood clash is not only cemented in the calendar as a captivating event but appears to be going from strength to strength. The closest equivalent for our elite cricketers is Australia Day, yet in the same time period it has gone from one of the great occasions on the cricket calendar to a day Cricket Australia now tries to avoid scheduling matches on. I hope that there will soon be a significant national day for all Australians, so the Australia Day match can be played in unity and enjoyed by all. Anzac Day, though different from Australia Day, inspires us to remember the precious freedoms and luxuries we cherish in our great country. The annual Australia Day one-dayer – typically held at Adelaide Oval, one of Australia's iconic grounds – was always a standout for me. I vividly remember the anticipation leading into the Australia Day game. The crowd arrived dressed in green and gold, decked out with Australian flags everywhere. Knowing that we were representing our country and feeling the whole nation's support on such a significant day created an incredible atmosphere. Things have since changed over the years with mixed opinions on Australia Day, including the views of Indigenous stars Ash Gardner and Scott Boland about the day not being appropriate for celebration. While I respect their position, I hope cricket can find a resolution soon amid the broader political debate. Playing on Australia Day always felt unique to me and united as a country. Even when I didn't perform at my best, there was an undeniable sense of solidarity, a feeling as if the playing XI was being carried by the entire nation that day. There was a greater responsibility, pushing us to perform better and most occasions we played well. Now every year Anzac Day comes around, it is a reminder of how well the AFL does it and what cricket has lost with Australia Day. With Anzac Day, sport is used as a way to honour the past and acknowledge the bravery that allows athletes the privilege to compete. The games bring together players and fans in a spirit of camaraderie and respect, creating a sense of unity. It's also worth noting how sport played a role for those who served in wartime. Many found solace in sport as a way to escape the harsh realities of conflict, as has been documented with photos of games of footy and cricket among soldiers. This longstanding connection underscores the importance of sportsmanship — whether it's shaking hands with opponents after a tough match or sharing camaraderie in the locker room. That environment fosters respect, regardless of the outcome on the scoreboard. Playing hard but fair encapsulates the essence of sport. It's about the challenges faced during the game, the discussions afterwards, and ultimately the mutual respect shared between competitors. It's a cycle of striving for excellence, learning from each experience, and moving forward together, which mirrors the values intrinsic to our society. Embracing this spirit in our sporting activities amplifies the significance of each game, especially on days of remembrance. It's fascinating to see how sports across the globe honour significant days like these. In the United States, Independence Day is traditionally celebrated with Major League Baseball games complete with fireworks and plenty of patriotism and a shared sense of pride. According to a poll in 2016, almost 40 per cent of Americans attended a sporting event on July 4. Moments like these unite people through their love of sport. Anzac Day footy reminds us how fortunate we are to live in this country. It illustrates that sport should be sport — played in a way that brings together fans and even those who may not typically follow sport at all. The day reminds us that we can enjoy our freedoms and the beauty of Australia because of the sacrifices made by our courageous men and women, many of whom were young and potentially talented in sport themselves. Honouring their memory by playing a game in their spirit feels like the least we can do.
