Spinner backs skipper on athlete advocacy

AUSTRALIAN spinner Adam Zampa has firmly backed the ODI and test captain Pat Cummins as the fallout from the Alinta Energy deal continues.

Cummins recently expressed his personal beliefs in reducing carbon footprint and confirmed he would not appear in any ads for the energy company.

Alinta announced on Tuesday afternoon that they would not be extending their current deal with the Australian cricket team.

Speaking on SEN, Zampa said it was important players were able to express their personal beliefs publicly.

“The fact that Cricket Australia, our test and ODI captain are now having this conversation, it’s a real positive sign,” Zampa said on SEN 1170 Afternoons.

“You’ll definitely see a more collaborative approach to these issues in the future, Pat is a great face for that.

“I don’t really read what people say and the comments they say, but I’m sure people say, ‘shut up and just play cricket’, we are more than just a commodity to the game.

“We should have the right to wear what we believe in and have a more collaborative approach about the choices that are made for the business that we are a part of.”

Australia are currently defending their T20 World Cup title, automatically qualifying for the Super 12.

– BY DOMINIC CRINITI/ SEN