Australian stars under fire for ‘smoky’ Ashes win celebrations
NEWDELHI: Australia cricket team players Shaun Marsh, Nathan Lyon and Jackson Bird came under heavy criticism after a newspaper published photographs of them smoking a cigarette while celebrating their 4-0 Ashes victory over England.
The Australian players were celebrating at the Coogee Pavilion in New South Wales when Marsh and Bird were caught on camera smoking while Nathan Lyon was seen holding a cigarette.The photographs were published by The Daily Telegraph along with a story in which health officials slammed the cricketers.
While smoking is a personal choice, the health experts were concerned about how cricketers, who act as heroes or role models for many youngsters, are conveying a wrong message by doing it on public view.
However, smoking (in a public space) is not illegal in Australia.
NO ISSUE WITH PLAYERS SMOKING: ZAMPA
Australia ODI spinner Adam Zampa came out in support of Marsh and Bird and said he has no issue with cricketers smoking.
“I don’t think there was any kids at the (bar) Coogee Pavillion,” said Zampa, dismissing the criticism. “I don’t think they were doing it on purpose in front of any kids either.
“After a 4-0 Ashes, the guys have done quite well, it’s probably a nice time just to loosen up a little bit and have a beer and, if they want to, they can light one up.”
Zampa was speaking on Thursday, ahead of the opening ODI against England at the MCG in Melbourne on Sunday.
It will be the first of five games and the 25-year-old — who has taken 40 wickets in 27 ODIs — is determined to cement his place in the team. “I’m on edge a little bit at the moment and I think that’s probably a good thing for me,” Zampa said.
WHITE RECALLED
MELBOURNE: Cameron White will fancy playing his first one-day international in three years after replacing the injured Chris Lynn in the Australia squad for the five-match series against England beginning on Sunday.
A calf injury to explosive batsman Lynn opened an unlikely door for 34-year-old White, who played the last of his 88 ODIs in 2015 and has since been critical of a pro-youth policy he felt did not reward the performance of senior players.
“Cameron’s in very good form, as his figures demonstrate. He’s playing very well,” selector Trevor Hohns said in a statement on Thursday, referring to White’s impressive displays for Melbourne Renegades in this year’s Big Bash League.
“He’s one of the leading runscorers in this season’s BBL, he’s experienced, he’s a very smart cricketer and he’s a good fielder. He ticks all the boxes for what we need at this stage.”