Two key words Cricket Australia will refuse to say on January 26 during the second Test against the West Indies

Cricket Australia will not mention the words ‘Australia Day’ during the Gabba Test on Friday.

Day two of the second Test against the West Indies in Brisbane falls on the controversial holiday.

The decision to schedule the Test over the Australia Day weekend was itself controversial, with all-rounder Ash Gardner previously describing it as a day of “hurt and mourning”.

It will only be highlighted in passing by the ground announcer and Cricket Australia (CA) will recognize that it represents different things to different people.

The actual phrase ‘Australia Day’ will not be used, the newspaper said The Australian.

CA will hold a standard Welcome to Country ceremony on day one of the Test, which falls on the day before Australia Day.

CA will hold a standard Welcome to Country ceremony on day one of the Test, which falls on the day before Australia Day

The governing body consulted with its Indigenous Advisory Council (NATSICAC) in the lead-up to both planning and the January 26 commemoration.

Australia Day, celebrated every year on January 26, marks the landing of the First Fleet in 1788 when the first Governor of the British colony of New South Wales, Arthur Philip, hoisted the Union Jack at Sydney Cove.

But for many First Nations people it is considered “Invasion Day” or the “Day of Mourning.”

The growing polarization around the national day is perhaps best summed up by the government-owned National Australia Day Council.

“For some, Australia Day is a day to celebrate all the opportunities that life in a free, multicultural society offers,” it wrote in its 2022 annual report.

“For others, it’s an opportunity to reflect on their own citizenship and what it means to be Australian. And for many, January 26 is a day of sadness, mourning and memory of colonization.’

Indigenous all-rounder Ash Gardner (pictured) spoke out about the abuse she received last year for describing Australia Day as a celebration of ‘pain and mourning’

The annual Australia Day drive started early this year when Anthony Albanese’s high commissioner to Britain scrapped the annual black tie fundraiser, citing “sensitivities” about the holiday.

Then more than 80 municipalities across the country decided not to hold citizenship ceremonies on January 26 this year due to perceived negative connotations, with one councilor even blaming the heat.

Anthony Albanse was accused of a “cop-out” by tasking the city council with the politically sensitive decision after his government removed a rule that councils to hold the Australia Day citizenship ceremonies.

And in early January, the fallout hit the Australian business community when the Woolworths Group, which owns both Woolies and Big W, announced it would not stock Australia Day merchandise, blaming a “gradual decline in demand” .

The decision sparked an uproar, with opposition leader Peter Dutton calling for a boycott of the store.

Aunt Joy Murphy Wandin welcomes the nation during day one of the second Test match between Australia and Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Boxing Day

“I would strongly advise you to take your business elsewhere and go to IGA, Coles or Aldi,” Mr Dutton said.

A few hours later, Aldi announced it would not be stocking Australia Day merchandise this year.

Prominent Indigenous leader and businessman Warren Mundine called the decision “disgraceful” and accused Australia’s business community of being “completely out of touch with the Australian public.”

“It’s time for these companies to actually pull their heads in… Do your job, you’re a shop for Australia,” he said.

“If Woolworths isn’t proud of this country, they can pack up and leave.”

A new poll from the Institute of Public Affairs, which asked more than a thousand Australians about their attitudes to Australia Day, found that fewer than one in five Australians want to change the date.