Adam Zampa's Sheffield Shield selection triggers ugly conflict between CA, NSW amid BGT 2024-25

The selection of leg-spinner Adam Zampa for a recent Sheffield Shield match has caused a rift between Cricket New South Wales (NSW) and Cricket Australia (CA). NSW selector Stuart Clark stated that Cricket Australia forced the inclusion of Adam Zampa in the squad ahead of Tanveer Sangha.

Adam Zampa made his first Sheffield Shield appearance since February 2023. However, his inclusion ahead of Tanveer Sangha was met with criticism from former Australia cricketers. It is expected that Zampa's selection was part of Australia's plans for the Sri Lanka tour in January and February next year.

The leg-spinner took three wickets for 96 runs in the first innings, followed by 1/44 in the second innings of the match. New South Wales lost to Tasmania by 55 runs in the match. It is still unclear whether Zampa will play in the final Shield match against Western Australia before the Big Bash League.

Selection Panel Are in Regular Contact with Each State Association - Ben Oliver

Last week, Cricket Australia's high-performance manager Ben Oliver said that no directive was given to NSW to select Adam Zampa for the recent Sheffield Shield match. He emphasized that the national selection panel is in regular contact with state associations, and the final decision rests with the state.

"The national selection panel are in regular contact with each state association, but ultimately, the selection for each Sheffield Shield match or domestic matches is very much the realm of the state association," Oliver said.

"The selection panel are very pleased to see all players playing domestic cricket and have as many options as possible for each of our upcoming series."

In a statement on Saturday, Oliver said: “That process was consistent with this most recent round of Shield cricket.”

We Were Told Adam Zampa Had To Play - Stuart Clark

NSW selector Stuart Clark gave a contrasting version of Cricket Australia's stance regarding Adam Zampa's selection. In an interview on ABC Radio on Saturday, Clark revealed that the decision to include Zampa in the squad was made without discussion, as they were informed that he "had to play."

“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 Clark.

“Quite frankly, I don’t understand what the comment of Cricket Australia is because we didn’t need to have a robust debate about his selection. His selection was a foregone conclusion that he was in the team.”

Australia Currently Taking On India in Five-Match Test Series at Home

Adam Zampa has made limited First-Class appearances due to his commitments in white-ball cricket. Over his career, Zampa has taken 115 wickets in 41 first-class games at an average of 46.56. However, in the three first-class games he has played this decade, he has taken 10 wickets at an average of 28.7.

Zampa is unlikely to be selected for Australia's home Test series against India but remains in consideration for the upcoming Sri Lanka tour. Australia is currently playing a five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy vs India. For the subcontinent conditions, Australia is expected to include at least two spinners.

Also read: Ricky Ponting orders Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith to follow Virat Kohli to regain form in Adelaide Test