Zampa uses hand warmers, says Finch amid ball-tampering claims

E-Paper | March 18, 2026

Australia spinner Adam Zampa may have been using hand warmers during his bowling spell in Sunday's 36-run Cricket World Cup defeat by India, captain Aaron Finch has said in response to a flood of ball-tampering accusations on social media.

Video footage showed Zampa putting his hand into his pocket before rubbing the ball prior to bowling the 24th over.

Zampa's teammates Steve Smith and David Warner have just returned to the national setup after serving 12-month bans for their roles in a ball-tampering scandal in South Africa early last year.

Read: 'Like we never left' — Smith and Warner back in Aussie cricket fold

"I haven't seen the photos, but I know that he has hand warmers in his pocket," Finch told reporters.

"He has them every single game he plays.

"I honestly haven't seen them (the images), so I can't comment too much on it. But I know for a fact that he has hand warmers every game."

Australia next play Pakistan in Taunton on Wednesday.

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Zak

Jun 10, 2019 02:24pm

Pakistan will win

Recommend 0

IMTIAZ

Jun 10, 2019 02:41pm

There's no issue having hand warmers in pocket. ICC will soon clarify that there's no problems. It's just media hype after over-zealous Indian fans social media activity.

Recommend 0

Love Your Country

Jun 10, 2019 02:56pm

Anything is possible with Aussies and other teams; there is so much at stake.

Recommend 0

Ramesh R

Jun 10, 2019 02:57pm

Let him watch videos/photos, which is available in twitter and youtube.

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topbrass

Jun 10, 2019 03:10pm

What is this new thing " hand warmer ". Cheeky indeed

Recommend 0

Gordon D. Walker

Jun 10, 2019 05:58pm

Disgusting and unsportsmanlike actions. This guy must be censored, fined and tossed out of cricket for st least a game and s half... Gordon D. Walker Canada

Recommend 0

Gordon D. Walker

Jun 10, 2019 06:14pm

Hey, it gets cold in England. Especially in summer... Gordon D. Walker Canada

Recommend 0

Gordon D. Walker

Jun 10, 2019 06:37pm

At last some entertainment! Gordon D. Walker Canada

Recommend 0

ABCD

Jun 10, 2019 07:27pm

@IMTIAZ, What are these hand warmers?

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A.Rehman

Jun 10, 2019 08:54pm

Where were umpires & where were official of ICC when he was putting his hand in the pocket, why he was not called & asked that what was in his pocket & what was he doing with the ball. It is not the duty of social media to point out what player is doing. It is entire responsibility of ICC to check every action of each & every player irrespective of which country he belongs. If any Pakistani player had done this he would have banned from playing in the tournament.

Recommend 0

Ali (CA)

Jun 10, 2019 09:24pm

he wears head band to stop sweats getting into his eyes, long sleeves and hand warmer to stay warm :)

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Yankee Cricket Fan

Jun 10, 2019 11:19pm

@ABCD, Hand warmers are small packets that contain chemicals which release heat when you rub your hands against them. Hunters and outdoors sportsmen use them to keep their hands warm in the cold weather. The packets are made of paper or plastic, but the chemicals are not released, and as such, as designed and intended, they cannot be applied onto the ball which means nothing can be rubbed against the ball. I don't believe there is any other benefit of using the chemicals beyond providing heat. Therefore, there should be no issue using these products as long as they are simply being used as hand warmers.

Recommend 0

IMTIAZ

Jun 11, 2019 12:37am

@ABCD, Battery operated (with rechargeable battery) To be kept in pocket to warm hands whenever so desired.

Recommend 0

Moin

Jun 11, 2019 12:47pm

@Zak, -It has already won the cup.

Recommend 0

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