Cricket NSW apologises to Adam Zampa as leg-spinner withdraws from Sheffield Shield game following public criticism | Cricket News

Australia leg-spinner Adam Zampa received apology from Cricket New South Wales for the public criticism of his selection for a Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania last week. Last week, Zampa played in place of fellow leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha and his selection was criticised former players Stuart Clark and Ed Cowan who are part of the NSW board.
Zampa who had not played a first-class fixture since February 2023, was a surprise inclusion for the match against Tasmania. It was seen as a inclusion to push his place for Australia’s forthcoming tour of Sri Lanka. While former captain Mark Taylor had slammed the decision, Clark and Cowan expressed their displeasure on air.
“The problem I have with it … when it came to Adam Zampa, we didn’t have a discussion because there was no need to – we were told he had to play,” said former pacer Clark, who played 24 Tests for Australia.
Clark said the issue would be escalated to Cricket NSW chief executive Lee Germon. “I’m going to ask Lee Germon from Cricket NSW to clear up this writing to Cricket Australia perhaps and put my board member’s hat on because we don’t understand this,” he said. “What we were told to do, and what’s coming out in the press, is exactly the opposite. They don’t make sense. Either we, as selectors, have got it wrong – did we misunderstand? But I’m pretty clear because I’ve got messages that say Adam Zampa must be in the team and there is no point discussing his selection.”
Even Brad Haddin speaking on Willow Cricket Podcast shared his views: “I’m an Adam Zampa fan … but I don’t think he should be playing this Shield game. He doesn’t come to training, he’s not part of the NSW system. I just think it sends a real bad message to our younger players in the squad.”
And following these public comments, NSW has apologised to Zampa and the leg-spinner has withdrawn from the next Sheffield Shield game.