Firebrand politician Mark Latham has accused Cricket Australia of betraying the nation after it was revealed that no matches will probably be performed on January 26 subsequent yr.
Australia Day has grow to be an enormous difficulty for the governing physique, with no video games being performed on the general public vacation this yr, both.
Cricket Australia additionally determined to not point out the phrases ‘Australia Day’ when the Take a look at in opposition to the West Indies fell on January 26, 2024.
The nationwide day has grow to be a divisive difficulty in recent times as many Aussies refuse to rejoice it, claiming the date ought to be modified as a result of it is named ‘Invasion Day’ to many.
Latham noticed pink when the information broke on Wednesday afternoon and posted a fiery message on Fb.
‘Full BS,’ he wrote.
Many cricket followers suppose there’s nothing extra Aussie than going to the cricket on Australia Day (pictured) – however the governing physique has different concepts
Politician Mark Latham (pictured) has blasted Cricket Australia for not scheduling a match on January 26 subsequent yr, calling the choice ‘a betrayal of those that love our nation and its nationwide sport’
Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg (pictured) insists the choice was solely made to maximise the group at a match on January 25 and to maintain broadcasters comfortable
‘Cricket Australia has now introduced there will probably be no cricket performed on Australia Day 2026!
‘A betrayal of those that love our nation and its nationwide sport.
‘And an act of self-harm: we solely have cricket in Australia due to 26 January 1788. No Australia Day, no cricket or cricket salaries.
‘It’s the birthday of cricket in Australia, why wouldn’t these clowns rejoice it??’
Latham’s query was answered by Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg when he was interviewed by radio 2GB‘s Ben Fordham on Thursday.
The Large Bash League remaining will probably be performed on January 25, and Fordham requested for an evidence about why the massive match is not being held a day later.
‘There’s nothing sinister, no hidden meanings, there is definitely no avoidance of the idea of enjoying cricket on Australia Day,’ Greenberg mentioned.
Greenberg denied worries about Australia Day being perceived as ‘Invasion Day’ have been behind the scrubbing of matches on the twenty sixth (pictured, a Welcome to Nation ceremony earlier than a Large Bash League match in January)
Skipper Pat Cummins (pictured with spouse Becky) and his Take a look at teammates play the final day of their sequence in opposition to England on January 8, leaving the BBL because the candidate to play on the twenty sixth
‘However we sat down and had a detailed take a look at this one and on the stability of advantage, we have determined to play the night time earlier than.’
Greenberg mentioned CA solely took two elements into consideration when the choice was made.
‘To get the very best crowd, unashamedly to promote as many tickets as we will to get a full home, after which the second is to make sure we work with our broadcast companions to offer them the best attainable rankings for Seven and Fox,’ he mentioned.
‘The idea of the date … was not a consideration.’
‘There is no concern about us enjoying on Australia Day.’
Greenberg added that CA believed the group could be greater since it is a day-night match, and by holding it on Sunday the twenty fifth, extra households would attend as they’d have the general public vacation to relaxation earlier than children returned to high school in lots of elements of Australia on the twenty seventh.
He mentioned if the BBL match was a day recreation, enjoying on the twenty sixth would have made ‘absolute sense’.
Cricket legend Ian Healy adopted the identical argument when he hit again at these against the choice.
‘Some followers and a few media have had a cynical dig at Cricket Australia for not scheduling cricket on Monday, January twenty sixth due to the political scorching potato it could actually grow to be,’ he advised SEN.
‘Final yr it was to steer clear of rankings of the (Australian Open) tennis remaining from reminiscence, however this yr it is positively on the request of the broadcasters.’
Nevertheless, that did not wash with many Aussie cricket followers.
‘Todd Greenberg virtually destroyed Rugby League together with his woke virus mindset. Seems like he has achieved his mission of utterly destroying cricket, he simply doesn’t get it,’ one wrote in regards to the former NRL CEO.
‘Hold digging a gap, Cricket Australia,’ added one other.
‘Greenburg [sic] is one other a part of the woke virus. Simply pathetic. What’s extra Australian than a take a look at match on Australia Day,’ a 3rd commented.
