Opposition Pans Reports National Anthem Could Be Dropped From Australia Day Cricket Match

‘Yes, our past is not perfect. But our nation’s achievements far outweigh the wrongdoings,’ said Angus Taylor.

Perth Scorchers players celebrate their win after the Big Bash League T20 cricket final between Perth Scorchers and Sydney Sixers at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Jan. 25, 2026. Colin Murty/AFP via Getty Images

Cricket Australia is facing questions on suggestions it will exclude the national anthem from next year’s Australia Day match.

The last time the Big Bash League, Australia’s professional Twenty20 cricket competition was on Australia Day (Jan. 26) was in 2022, however, reports suggest it will return next year.

League boss Alistair Dobson said he understood the national day had different meanings for different people, and that an “appropriate recognition for everyone” would be held, according to The Australian.

The move has drawn criticism from political circles.

Alistair Dobson, executive general manager of Big Bash Leagues speaks during a visit to the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia on July 10, 2026. Daniel Pockett/Getty Images for Cricket Australia

Opposition Leader Angus Taylor welcomed the news of cricket on Australia Day but said not playing the national anthem “tone deaf woke moralising.”

“Yes, our past is not perfect. But our nation’s achievements far outweigh the wrongdoings, and our nation is worth celebrating,” Taylor said.

Taylor claimed Cricket Australia had kowtowed 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,” he said on X.

Nationals MP David Littleproud also called for the anthem to be played on the day.

“It’s ridiculous that it’s even taken this long for Cricket Australia to reconsider playing cricket again on Australia Day,” he said in a social media post.

“But it’s simple Cricket Australia—when you play cricket on Australia Day you play Australia’s national anthem.”

Former Labor MP-turned-One Nation-then-independent Mark Latham also queried why the national anthem would be excluded.

“In fact, next year marks the 239th anniversary of cricket arriving in Australia on 26 January.

“This should be celebrated unashamedly, without any woke political [expletive],” he said.

The Epoch Times contacted Cricket Australia for comment.

The concerns come just one month since Taylor and other politicians and attendees questioned why the national anthem was not played by the Australian War Memorial during the opening for its refurbished Anzac Hall and Atrium.

Attendees at the event reported a 15-minute Welcome to Country ceremony, while memorial management said it had been played earlier in the day.