In a bold move that has stirred the cricketing community, the ABC has found itself barred from interviewing players after Stuart Clark, a former Test bowler, criticized senior officials at Cricket Australia (CA). Clark advised against engaging in a public feud with Todd Greenberg, CA’s CEO, following the fallout from his comments.

On Tuesday, Day 3 of the Sydney Test, Australian cricketers were notably absent from interviews with the public broadcaster. This absence followed Clark’s harsh critique of key figures such as selector George Bailey and head of cricket, James Allsopp, during a live commentary on ABC radio.

Todd Greenberg responded to Clark’s remarks, deeming them ‘personal’ and ‘out of order.’ Clark had commented on Allsopp’s qualifications, describing him as merely a grade club cricket coach focused on youth coaching. This pointed observation was part of Clark’s broader questioning of leadership within Cricket Australia.

Clark further questioned the roles of other senior figures, including Ben Oliver, who oversees high-performance cricket, expressing uncertainty about Oliver’s current contributions. He also cast doubt on George Bailey’s authority and leadership capabilities, pondering whether Bailey could effectively guide prominent players like Andrew McDonald, Steve Smith, or Pat Cummins.

‘Then you have George [Bailey], who is the chairman of selectors. Does he have the gravitas or the leadership skills to tell Andrew McDonald and Steve Smith or Pat Cummins what to do? He should do, 100 per cent, but I don’t think he does.’

After being told players would not be available to talk to the ABC after the day’s play, ABC commentator Corbin Middlemas slammed CA on air.

‘It is extremely disappointing from the fact that people in the regions and people who listen to ABC radio right across the country that obviously at this time don’t get the chance to hear from the Australian cricket team,’ Middlemas said.

Former Test fast bowler Stuart Clark’s attack on senior Cricket Australia officials while commentating prompted the governing body to ban the ABC from interviewing players

Cricket Australia boss Todd Greenberg felt Clark’s comments were ‘personal’

‘The Australian team is a public good. It is not a private team, not private enterprise.

‘They are the custodians of the game as it sits at the moment….and it is a team all Australians have a stake in.’

Clark revealed later that he had talked with Greenberg about his comments but refused to further ignite the issue.

‘I am not going to get into a public spat with Todd. I have known Todd for 20-odd years. We worked together at the NRL. We are friends. We played golf together,’ he said.

‘We have had disagreements. We will continue to have disagreements. We obviously don’t agree and that’s cool.

‘From my point of view there is no point in having a war of words about this other than to confirm that I went and found Todd.’

The incident was also slammed by most Aussies online with one person saying: ‘Banning the media because they say something you don’t like is a dangerous game.’

‘Took a leaf out of the Indian Cricket Board’s book. Criticise them and they will punish you,’ another said.

Steve Smith was made available to media after scoring a century on Tuesday – but the ABC was not able to talk to him due to Cricket Australia’s actions

Clark played 24 Test matches for Australia and has since been involved in commentary and sports administration 

‘Australian Cricket, profitable through interest from the Australian public, bans Australian broadcaster, that’s 100 per cent funded by the Australian people, for an opinion made by one ex-Australian cricketer about another ex-Australian cricketer,’ a third said.

There is no contractual obligation for CA to provide the ABC with a player, but it is expected post-play interviews will resume as normal on Wednesday.

Clark, a former fast bowler who played for New South Wales, took 94 wickets across 24 Test matches for Australia.

He retired in 2007 and would later go on to be appointed as the general manager of the Sydney Sixers Big Bash League team.

He departed his role in 2012, and would later be appointed NSW Rugby League’s chief operating officer.

Clark also pointed out on Tuesday that he has, at times, been very complimentary of the selectors and people at Cricket Australia.

‘So that seems to be missed. It’s not just all a one-way street,’ he said.