Cricket Australia higher-ups have promised the Australian national anthem will be played on Australia Day in a stunning backflip brought about by public backlash.
The governing body recently confirmed the 2026-27 BBL final will be played on January 26 after a two-year absence from the national holiday.
But it had revealed that Advance Australia Fair was unlikely to be played unless requested by the host city.
It has now been confirmed by former NSW transport minister David Elliott that the anthem will be played on Australia’s national day.
‘I spoke to Mike Baird, the chairman of Cricket Australia, and he’s asked me to make sure your listeners know the national anthem will be played on Australia Day,’ he told 2GB.
‘He gave me an ironclad guarantee that wokeism is dead at Cricket Australia, and he’s going to … ensure that we sing the Australian national anthem on our national day.’
Advance Australia Fair will now be played on Australia Day (pictured, Usman Khawaja, Travis Head and Steve Smith)
Cricket Australia has confirmed the decision has been made following backlash about the potential of the song not being aired (pictured, Indigenous star Scott Boland)
The move comes as a blow for those who condemn Australia’s national day (pictured, Scott Boland and Brendan Doggett)
After news broke about the uncertainty surrounding whether the anthem would be played, Liberal Party leader Angus Taylor slammed the prospect.
‘While it’s welcome news that cricket will again be played on Australia Day, Cricket Australia’s decision not to play our national anthem is yet more tone deaf woke moralising,’ he wrote on X.
‘Yes, our past is not perfect. But our nation’s achievements far outweigh the wrongdoings, and our nation is worth celebrating.
‘Instead of kowtowing to activists who want to make Australians feel guilty about our past and ashamed of our nation, Cricket Australia should proudly play our national anthem at the Big Bash final.
‘Reflecting the views of the overwhelming majority of Australians – and cricket fans – who love our country and feel profound gratitude for being Australian.’
Cricket Australia then attempted to set the record straight with an official statement.
‘It is incorrect to say the national anthem is being specifically excluded,’ it wrote.
‘We play the national anthem at international matches but do not usually do so at domestic matches, including the BBL final.
‘As stated during our BBL schedule launch, decisions about on-field ceremonies and other formalities on Australia Day will be made closer to the game and in association with relevant clubs and stakeholders.’
