Cummins says ‘we should have an Australia Day’ but suggests ‘more appropriate day to celebrate’ than January 26

Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins has supported the continuation of Australia Day celebrations as an event of national pride although conceding a more suitable date than January 26 could be chosen to account for the sensitivities of different community groups.

Appearing before the media on Tuesday, Cummins was questioned about an announcement by Cricket Australia (CA) to scrap the mention of the phrase “Australia Day” during this week’s upcoming Test against West Indies at the Gabba.

The cricketing body said it would step away from outwardly promoting the country’s official national day in order to foster an inclusive environment for First Nations and other non-Indigenous peoples and acknowledge the varied meanings the day holds.

CA immediately attracted backlash for the decision by some pro-Australia Day commentators, but Cummins said the furore surrounding the subject was “not new” and resurfaced time and time again.

“I think this conversation comes up every year really and Cricket Australia has been really consistent in the last four or five years in the way they approach it,” he said.

“My personal opinions is (that) I absolutely love Australia, it’s the best country in the world by a mile and I think we should have an Australia Day but I think we can probably find a more appropriate day to celebrate.”

The second day of the men’s Test match, on Friday, will coincide with January 26. Meanwhile, the women’s team will also play on the day, clashing against Pakistan for the second T20 in the tri-series.

Debate around scheduling cricket matches on Australia Day has long been stirred up by players of Indigenous heritage, who have expressed disappointment in having to play on what was “a day of national mourning” for many.

Scott Boland, Australia’s only Indigenous male cricketer, said he believed the day was not “inclusive of everyone” and not one to celebrate, but admitted he would still take to the field if selected for the playing-11.

Women’s all-rounder and Muruwari women Ashleigh Gardner has also been outspoken on the matter.

“Unfortunately this year the Australian women’s cricket team has been scheduled to play a game on the 26th of Jan which certainly doesn’t sit well with me as an individual but also all the people I’m representing,” the 26-year-old wrote on social media this week.

“As a national team we have a platform to raise awareness about certain issues and I’m using this platform to hopefully educate others on a journey to learn about the longest living culture in the world. For those who don’t have a good understanding of what that day means it was the beginning of genocide, massacres and dispossession.

“When I take the field for this game I will certainly be reflecting and thinking about all of my ancestors and peoples lives who changed from this day.”

When asked about the players’ comments, Cummins said hearing “their stories and their feelings” made the conversation around Australia Day hit close to home: “I think it does gather extra importance.”

“I think we’re all in unison in that we absolutely love Australia and feel very lucky and privileged to be here in this country, but it is a delicate one and it’s going to be a tough day for some,” he said.

“I’ve thought about it for a while (on changing the date). I think once you start realising why Jan 26 is chosen… I think we could choose a better date.”

Cricket Australia will conduct a traditional Welcome to Country ceremony on day one of the Gabba Test, but the use of “Australia Day” will be avoided by the ground announcer.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also weighed in on the matter on Monday. The PM discouraged the public from seeking to stir division by pouncing on opportunities to create outrage and instead try to “come together”.