Firebrand politician Mark Latham has accused Cricket Australia of betraying the nation after it was revealed that no matches will be played on January 26 next year.
Australia Day has become a huge issue for the governing body, with no games being played on the public holiday this year, either.
Cricket Australia also decided not to mention the words ‘Australia Day’ when the Test against the West Indies fell on January 26, 2024.
The national day has become a divisive issue in recent years as many Aussies refuse to celebrate it, claiming the date should be changed because it is known as ‘Invasion Day’ to many.
Latham saw red when the news broke on Wednesday afternoon and posted a fiery message on Facebook.
‘Complete BS,’ he wrote.
Many cricket fans think there’s nothing more Aussie than going to the cricket on Australia Day (pictured) – but the governing body has other ideas
Politician Mark Latham (pictured) has blasted Cricket Australia for not scheduling a match on January 26 next year, calling the decision ‘a betrayal of those who love our country and its national sport’
Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg (pictured) insists the decision was only made to maximise the crowd at a match on January 25 and to keep broadcasters happy
‘Cricket Australia has now announced there will be no cricket played on Australia Day 2026!
‘A betrayal of those who love our country and its national sport.
‘And an act of self-harm: we only have cricket in Australia because of 26 January 1788. No Australia Day, no cricket or cricket salaries.
‘It’s the birthday of cricket in Australia, why wouldn’t these clowns celebrate it??’
Latham’s question was answered by Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg when he was interviewed by radio 2GB’s Ben Fordham on Thursday.
The Big Bash League final will be played on January 25, and Fordham asked for an explanation about why the big match isn’t being held a day later.
‘There’s nothing sinister, no hidden meanings, there’s certainly no avoidance of the concept of playing cricket on Australia Day,’ Greenberg said.
Greenberg denied worries about Australia Day being perceived as ‘Invasion Day’ were behind the scrubbing of matches on the 26th (pictured, a Welcome to Country ceremony before a Big Bash League match in January)
Skipper Pat Cummins (pictured with wife Becky) and his Test teammates play the last day of their series against England on January 8, leaving the BBL as the candidate to play on the 26th
‘But we sat down and had a close look at this one and on the balance of merit, we’ve decided to play the night before.’
Greenberg said CA only took two factors into consideration when the decision was made.
‘To get the best possible crowd, unashamedly to sell as many tickets as we can to get a full house, and then the second is to ensure we work with our broadcast partners to give them the highest possible ratings for Seven and Fox,’ he said.
‘The concept of the date … was not a consideration.’
‘There’s no concern about us playing on Australia Day.’
Greenberg added that CA believed the crowd would be bigger since it’s a day-night match, and by holding it on Sunday the 25th, more families would attend as they’d have the public holiday to rest before kids returned to school in many parts of Australia on the 27th.
He said if the BBL match was a day game, playing on the 26th would have made ‘absolute sense’.
Cricket legend Ian Healy adopted the same argument when he hit back at those opposed to the decision.
‘Some fans and some media have had a cynical dig at Cricket Australia for not scheduling cricket on Monday, January 26th because of the political hot potato it can become,’ he told SEN.
‘Last year it was to stay away from ratings of the (Australian Open) tennis final from memory, but this year it’s definitely at the request of the broadcasters.’
However, that didn’t wash with many Aussie cricket fans.
‘Todd Greenberg almost destroyed Rugby League with his woke virus mindset. Looks like he has achieved his mission of completely destroying cricket, he just doesn’t get it,’ one wrote about the former NRL CEO.
‘Keep digging a hole, Cricket Australia,’ added another.
‘Greenburg [sic] is another part of the woke virus. Just pathetic. What’s more Australian than a test match on Australia Day,’ a third commented.
