In a controversial move, the cancelled Australian television show The Project has come under fire for a social media post perceived as insensitive following Australia’s dominant performance in the 2023 Ashes series. The post, which suggested that Australians refrain from discussing cricket for the remainder of the summer, was met with widespread backlash from fans and commentators alike.
Australia secured a decisive 3-0 series win against England, with the final match taking place in Adelaide. This victory ensures the Ashes Urn remains in Australian hands for a fifth consecutive series. The English team struggled throughout, with their much-anticipated campaign failing to deliver, leading to public commentary that has ridiculed their performance. British media personality Piers Morgan even acknowledged the defeat, expressing frustration over Australian fans’ jibes directed at him in London.
As attention shifts towards the upcoming Boxing Day Test, Australia is expected to make significant changes to its team. Star bowler Pat Cummins will be resting, while Nathan Lyon is sidelined with a hamstring injury. In a positive development, Steve Smith is set to return to the squad after recovering from vertigo.
Despite being cancelled in June 2023, The Project remains active on social media. Its recent post featured an image reading, “Now Australia has won the Ashes, can we not talk about cricket for the rest of the summer? Thanks in advance.” The accompanying caption suggested a “time to Christmas without any small talk.” This message did not resonate well with the Australian public, prompting a flurry of critical responses from various commentators and fans.
Dan Anstey, a host on Today Show and Triple M, humorously remarked on the prospect of a 5-0 series result, while the popular cricket account CricBlog outright dismissed the notion. Other commentators expressed disbelief over the post’s reception, with some attributing the show’s cancellation to its perceived disconnect with viewers.
Since its debut in 2009, The Project featured notable hosts like Charlie Pickering, Carrie Bickmore, and Waleed Aly. The show covered news and current affairs but struggled to maintain relevance, leading to its cancellation and replacement by 10 News+, a new programme that has yet to capture significant viewership.
As the Ashes series progresses, the Australian team is focused on achieving a rare 5-0 whitewash, something they have not accomplished since the 2013-14 series. England, on the other hand, is keen to end a troubling streak, having not won a Test match in Australia since 2010-11 and currently sitting winless in their last 18 tests on Australian soil.
Looking ahead to the Boxing Day Test, Cummins has been ruled out for the remainder of the Ashes series after a stellar performance in Adelaide, where he claimed six crucial wickets. His status for the upcoming T20 World Cup remains uncertain, as Australia grapples with injuries to key players. Fellow fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is also dealing with an injury that has sidelined him from the Ashes.
In a bid to fill Cummins’ void, Jhye Richardson has been called up to the squad, with a possibility of making his first Test appearance in four years. Other potential replacements include Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett, while Todd Murphy is likely to step in for Lyon.
Australia’s squad for the Boxing Day Test includes: Steve Smith (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendon Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, and Beau Webster.
As the sporting community awaits the next match, the fallout from The Project‘s social media blunder serves as a reminder of the sensitivities surrounding sports discussions, particularly when national pride is at stake.
