Jason Gillespie exposes Australia Day date myth, and calls for more support of Indigenous cricket

Jason Gillespie has called for more support for Indigenous cricket and claims many people objecting to an Australia Day date change are unaware of a key historical fact.

Jason Gillespie has called for more support for Indigenous cricket and claims many people objecting to an Australia Day date change are unaware of a key historical fact.

Fast bowling great Gillespie, the first male Indigenous cricketer to play a Test for Australia, has been a long-time supporter of changing the date of Australia Day from January 26, a day of pain for many Indigenous Australians as it marks the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788.

Gillespie believes the argument that January 26 is the only suitable date for Australia Day is not supported by history.

“What I find interesting is that when a lot of people defend Australia Day being on January 26 they say ‘it has always been January 26’,’’ Gillespie said.

Jason Gillespie played 97 ODIs, 71 Tests and one T20 International during his distinguished playing career.

“That’s factually incorrect. You go over history and that has not been the only day Australia has celebrated Australia Day.’’

Australia Day has only officially been anchored for all states and territories on January 26 since 1994. Prior to that some states and territories had it on the Monday closest to the date.

The first “official’’ Australia Day, in 1915, was July 30 and was seen as a way to raise funds for the World War I effort.

“It (January 26) is seen as a day of genuine and deep sadness for Indigenous Australians and not seen as a day to celebrate so my question is that if it creates such sadness on such an important day of the year – and it has been moved before – surely there must be 300 or more days Australia could look at which could be a great day for everyone to celebrate.’’

Jason Gillespie coached Pakistan’s Test team in 2024. Picture: Getty Images

While Indigenous funding and representation has been creeping up in most levels of the game the fact that Gillespie and Scott Boland are the only two male Indigenous players to play for Australia in Test history is the chastening statistic that cannot be ignored.

“I would love Cricket Australia to put more money in,” Gillespie said.

“However much money they have put in I would like to see more. I’m not bashing CA by any means but my question is could they do more?’’

A Cricket Australia spokesperson said CA supported Indigenous cricket through events such as the National Indigenous Cricket Championships (this year held in Mackay), an annual National Indigenous Cricket Training Camp at the MCG, a First Nations T20 Cup and the Imparja Cup played in Alice Springs.

In CA’s Reconciliation Action Plan the body committed to doubling its investment through participation growth funding streams for Aboriginal engagement activities to 10 per cent by 2027 and that target has been achieved.

Scott Boland is the second of just two Indigenous men to play Test cricket for Australia. Picture: AFP

“Scotty Boland has come through which is great but in an ideal world we would have more representation,’’ Gillespie said.

“We are seeing Indigenous Australians playing in the BBL and there is quite a number now. That’s fantastic. Is it because that game is best suited? I don’t know. Is it because there are more spots in eight Big Bash Franchises?

“As far as multi-cultural levels go it has been great to have Usman Khawaja playing so that is a big tick but my challenge to cricket Australia would be to facilitate that at the lower levels.’’

The women’s game has seen the rise of group of talented Indigenous stars such as Ash Gardiner, Hannah Darlington, Emma Manix-Geeves, Ella Hayward and Mikayla Hinkley.

Originally published as Jason Gillespie exposes Australia Day date myth, and calls for more support of Indigenous cricket