Aussie Christian Speaks Out Against Racism in Cricket

Dan Christian, an Indigenous Australian all-rounder who’s represented his country on the international stage 35 times, spoke out against racism he’s faced in cricket during a recent appearance on an Australian panel show commissioned by Cricket Australia.

Appearing on the broadcast Cricket Connecting Country, a creation of the country’s cricket governing body, Christian, 37, discussed what he described as thee casual racism he’s experienced as an Aboriginal player during his time in the sport.

“I don’t think it’s as in-your-face as you might see elsewhere around the world or even elsewhere in Australian culture, but it’s definitely there,” Christian said during the show. “It’s more of a casual racism.”

One of the reasons behind CA’s decision to produce the Cricket Connecting Country series is in part an effort to bring attention to past instances of racism in the sport.

Christian indicated that most of the racist remarks he’d faced had to do with the color of his skin.

“Little throwaway lines here and there that are made to be jokes,” Christian explained. “And a lot of that, for me personally, has been around the color of my skin and the fact I don’t look Aboriginal, whatever that means.

“That’s the most noticeable thing for me.”

Not Done With Malice

Known as a powerful hitter and a useful medium pacer, on the international stage Christian has played 19 one-dayers and 16 Twenty20 cricket internationals for Australia. A Wiradjuri man, he also captained an Aboriginal XI Australian side that toured England in 2009.

The reason why Christian described what he’s experienced as casual racism is because in his heart he doesn’t believe that the words he’s heard were cast toward him in a manner intended to hurt him.

“It’s just something that comes with a lack of education and an ignorance,” Christian explained. “I don’t think a lot of people say it with any kind of malice.

In fact, he indicated that many former teammates and opponents have contacted him since the show first aired.

“I’ve received a lot of messages over the past few months from people I’ve played with and against that have said, ‘Sorry if I’ve ever said anything to you that you’ve been offended by.’

“It’s been a wonderful thing.”

Criticism From Online Trolls

As if to prove he was in fact correct in his assessment, Christian was the victim of some online trolling on social media sites following his appearance on the show that questioned the color of his skin.

“How can someone who looks white be discriminated against?” suggested one Twitter post.

Cricket Australia was quick to condemn these hateful messages. On the orgnization’s Twitter site CA posted that they were “deeply disappointed to see blatantly racist and uneducated comments.

“Whilst we have chosen not to name the publisher of these comments publicly, we want to strongly reinforce that any form of racism or discrimination has no place in cricket, sport or wider society.

“Comments like these demonstrate just how far we still have to go.”

Christian also drew support for his cause from fellow Australian cricketers.

“This sort of stuff is the very reason that these conversations need to keep happening . . . keep up the good work @danchristian54,” tweeted Aussie women’s international Alyssa Healy.

Christian’s Cricket History

Known as a powerful hitter and a useful medium pacer, on the international stage Christian played 19 one-dayers and 16 Twenty20 cricket internationals for Australia. A Wiradjuri man, he also captained an Aboriginal XI Australian side that toured England in 2009.

Besides Australia, Christian has opted to try his luck in club cricket stops around the world that have included stays with Hampshire, Gloucestershire and Middlesex in England, as well as stints with sides in South Africa and the Carribean. He also made several appearances in the Indian Premier League with the Deccan Chargers (2011-12), Royal Challengers Bangalore (2013), Rising Pune Supergiants (2017) and Delhi Daredevils (2018).

He stated that during his 15 years playing at the game’s highest level, Christian had never witnessed any sort of diversity training to emphasize cross-cultural awareness from any cricket organization.

“That’s one thing we could at least do to raise some awareness and educate people within our sport,” Christian said.