World Cup 2023: Storm over Australia stars stance to not sing national anthem ahead of match against Sri Lanka

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World Cup 2023: Australia spinner Adam Zampa has come under the firing line for not singing the national anthem ahead of the match against Sri Lanka in Lucknow on Monday, October 16.

While all the players were seen belting out the national anthem with a lot of emotions, Zampa chose to stay mum. Coach coach Andrew McDonald and other members of the coaching staff were also spotted not singing the national anthem.

Zampa's stance has been related to Saturday’s Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum where the proposal was voted down in a landslide. However, the same hasn't yet been confirmed either from the player or Cricket Australia (CA).

The 31-year-old was seen singing the national anthem in Australia first two matches against Australia and South Africa. The five-time champions lost both the matches. In the match against Sri Lanka, Zampa returned with figures of 4/47 to help Australia register their first win of the World Cup 2023.

“To be honest, I wasn’t feeling great because I had a bit of a back spasm. I was playing through it the last couple of days. Today I felt better, bowled better," Adam Zampa revealed after the match.

Rugby players in Australia have also refrained from singing the national anthem following the referendum result which has marred plans to form a federal advisory body comprising of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, to represent the views of Indigenous communities.

A handful of Australian rugby league players including Kotoni Staggs, Payne Haas and Selwyn Cobbo were seen silent while the national anthem was played before the Kangaroos’ clash with Samoa.

“Adam Zampa declined to sing the national anthem at Lucknow,” outspoken social commentator Rosita Diaz posted on Twitter.

“Ditto for Andrew McDonald. Makes no sense to me. Are they not proud to be Australians on a World Cup stage? If not, why are they out there?" she added.