Cricket Australia has confirmed its Indigenous advisory group were brought into conversations regarding the return of matchplay to January 26 this summer.

The bulk of consultations with First Peoples will occur in the planning of how the men's Big Bash League final will be delivered, Cricket Australia said, per existing policy framework given the controversial public holiday.

The date for the T20 league's final was confirmed earlier this week, bringing the date back onto the cricket calendar after a two year absence.

January 26 fell on day two of Australia's second Test against the West Indies at the Gabba in Brisbane in 2024.

Cricket Australia's 'Stretch' Reconciliation Action Plan (2024-27) outlines a deliverable to, with its National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cricket Advisory Group (NATSICAG), ''develop a place-based approach and guide to engage with Traditional Owners to respectfully deliver cricket on 26 January".

National Indigenous Times understands NATSICAG were involved in conversations regarding the coming BBL final, and the scheduling was largely done in line with policy agreed on in 2022.

A Big Bash League game hasn't been played on January 26 since 2022, the same year a First Nations round was introduced.

In 2021, Cricket Australia dropped references to 'Australia Day' in its marketing.

At the time advisory group member and former international Mel Jones, a non-Indigenous member of the group, said the lack of reference was "recognition that it's a really hurtful day for many," as reported by the ABC.

"We've got five Indigenous players playing those games and a lot of Indigenous fans that come to the cricket, we just want to make this space as safe and inclusive as possible," Jones said.

In 2023, Muruwari allrounder and Australian team star Ash Gardner was critical of women's ODI fixtures being scheduled on January 26, and later regarding the men's Test the following summer.

Former Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley said moves away from promoting the public holiday was not a boycott, but was done in acknowledgement "that it means different things to different people" in 2024.

On the BBL final, National Indigenous Times understands NATSICAG will engage in consultations regarding its delivery, with the group aware the date would host the match.

Not fixed to a location like other national sports competitions, the highest ranked qualifier hosts the final each summer.

Reported plans not to play the national anthem ahead of the game has drawn scrutiny.

Warren Mundine was one critical voice telling Sky News "let's bring people together rather than dividing us".

Indigenous former Senator and Olympic gold medallist Nova Peris backed the playing and singing of the anthem at the game, telling News Corp "division gets us nowhere".

Acknowledging "January 26 is a contentious date" and ongoing injustices despite positive steps toward reconciliation, Peris added "we don't want to set a precedent that the anthem is a bad thing" ahead of the 2032 Olympics.

She also suggested a minute silence followed by the anthem could be an appropriate option.