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Andrew Symonds has described NSW’s decision to bring in New Zealand star Brendon McCullum for Saturday’s interstate Twenty20 final against Victoria as un-Australian.
NSW have already qualified for the Twenty20 Champions League in India this October and McCullum’s presence on Saturday will allow him to play for the Blues in the Champions League if his IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders fail to qualify.
McCullum and Phil Hughes were named on Thursday in the Blues team for the domestic final at ANZ Stadium in place of Simon Keen and Ed Cowan.
Asked if NSW’s move to use McCullum at the expense of a local player was against the spirit of the game, Symonds said in Brisbane: “It goes against the spirit of being Australian.
“That’s not Australian to me,” said Symonds, who incorrectly assumed wicketkeeper Daniel Smith would be the player making way for big-hitting McCullum, who will open the batting.
“That bloke (Smith) would have worked his backside off to get where he is. If I was him I would be absolutely spewing.
“But on the other side of the coin, Brendon McCullum is a very good cricketer.
“But is that what NSW cricket is having to do?
“I would have thought a young player…needs to get all the help and opportunities he can receive.”
Cricket NSW said the move was all about adding depth ahead of expected player loses to their IPL teams which qualify for the Champions League.
“Cricket NSW is thrilled to have secured the services of Brendon McCullum,” Cricket NSW chief executive Dave Gilbert said.
“With the potential losses the NSW squad may suffer depending on which two IPL teams qualify for the Champions League, it is vital that we strengthen our squad ahead of that tournament.
“Brendon is one of the most dangerous limited-overs batsman in world cricket and will be a tremendous asset to NSW in terms of his considerable international experience and the match-winning ability he brings.”
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