Leg-spinner Adam Zampa has sparked outrage after he and coach Andrew McDonald were spotted standing silently during the national anthem ahead of Australia’s win over Sri Lanka at the ODI World Cup in India.
Zampa, 31, was poor in earlier defeats against India and South Africa, but roared back to life in Lucknow with a four-wicket haul. However, it did not go unnoticed that he didn’t sing Advance Australia Fair before the match.
The spinner’s act of not singing occurred in Australia’s first match since the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum where the proposal suffered a resounding defeat. It is not known if Zampa’s actions were in any way related to the recent referendum.
Footage showed Zampa standing tight-lipped while his teammates around him heartily sang the national song. Zampa was spotted singing the anthem in Australia’s previous two matches, but for some reason declined on this occasion.
McDonald, and members of his coaching team, were also spotted standing silently through the anthem. Many Aussie cricket fans took to social media to express their annoyance with the act, with some calling for Zampa to be dropped.
‘Adam Zampa should not be playing for Australia if he is not proud enough of Australia to sing the national anthem,’ wrote one fan on X. ‘CA and many of the woke Aussie cricketers are a national disgrace,’ said another. ‘Sack them immediately,’ fumed a third.
Cricket Australia was one of many professional sporting bodies that endorsed the Indigenous Voice to Parliament proposal. The Australian Cricketers’ Association is reported to have told players on the subcontinent they will have access to counselling if the proposed changes were not widely endorsed.
Athletes choosing to not sing the national anthem has been making headlines this week with NRL stars, including Kotoni Staggs, Payne Haas, Selwyn Cobbo and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow choosing to stand silently before Australia’s clash with Samoa.
Rugby league legend Max Krilich called for players to be dropped from the Kangaroos if they do not wish to sing Advance Australia Fair before matches. Footy legends Mal Meninga, Johnathan Thurston and Latrell Mitchell have all defended players who decide not to sing the anthem before matches.
Footage of the quartet not singing angered former ARL chairman Ken Arthurson who said the players should show more ‘respect’. Media figure Peter Peters added: ‘I’m sick and tired of seeing players zip their mouth in the national anthem.’
