‘This selection is a very bad one’: Taylor asks why Blues picked Zampa

Former NSW and Australian captain Mark Taylor has criticised a decision to parachute Adam Zampa into the Blues’ Sheffield Shield side, saying it sends a poor message to cricketers around the state.

Zampa hasn’t played a first-class match anywhere in the world since February 2023 but is eager to push for a spot in Australia’s touring party for a Test tour of Sri Lanka in January and February next year.

The 32-year-old, a regular in Australia’s white-ball sides, took 0-55 from 16 overs for the Blues on day one of their Sheffield Shield clash against Tasmania that started on Sunday at the SCG.

Young spinner Tanveer Sangha was dropped for Zampa, a decision that does not sit well with Taylor.

“I just think that this selection is a very bad one … obviously he [Zampa] doesn’t really want to play first-class cricket,” Taylor said. “I don’t like the selection, I really don’t. I’m disappointed with the selection because I think it sends the wrong message to young cricketers. Not just Tanveer … young cricketers can get dropped, but I think it sends a bad message.

“State cricket should have the best spinner in the state and what they’re saying is that it’s a player who doesn’t play in the state.”

Adam Zampa warms up ahead of the Sheffield Shield match between NSW and Tasmania at the SCG. Credit: Getty Images

Zampa, who rejoined the Blues at the end of 2020 after a stint at South Australia, made it clear to NSW officials he wanted to play in the red-ball match.

He has featured in six first-class matches since the end of 2017. Zampa’s last match for the Blues in any format was in February 2023. He plays Big Bash for the Melbourne Renegades.

NSW officials believe Zampa is in the selection frame for the upcoming two-Test tour of Sri Lanka.

This masthead is also aware of other prominent former NSW cricketers who are unhappy with the decision to pick Zampa, who averages 47 with the ball in first-class cricket.

Cricket NSW declined to comment.

“Other players are doing a lot of hard yards, playing their grade cricket, going to state training, being around the squad,” Taylor said. “If you’re going to forge a good cricket team or a good environment, you want the guys around. You don’t want to be picking guys for one or two games because he might go on a tour to Sri Lanka. I think that’s a really bad message to be sending to young cricketers in any state.

“If you also look at the Australian Test side at the moment, our bowling attack is very settled but they’re in their 30s.

“We’re going to need some quick bowlers, and we’re going to need some spinners when these bowlers move on and I don’t think it’s going to be Adam Zampa.”

Sangha, a highly rated youngster, is averaging 66.6 with the ball from three matches this season. He has 34 first-class wickets from 12 matches at 36.29.

The Blues have another Shield match starting December 6 at the SCG against Western Australia, which would be Zampa’s last chance to impress selectors before the Sri Lanka squad is named.

Australia are likely to play more than one spinner in the Sri Lanka Tests given the pitches are generally conducive to slow bowling.

Taylor isn’t convinced that Zampa will bother playing red-ball cricket after the Sri Lanka tour.

“He’s either going to be going to Sri Lanka, or I don’t think he’ll play again,” Taylor said. “I hope I’m wrong. I hope he wants to play, he plays this game and, if he makes it on merit, well done to him. I’ve got no problem with that.”

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