Updated January 6, 2026 - 9.28am . First published at 8.42am
Cricket Australia has stopped conducting player interviews with the ABC after Stuart Clark delivered stinging criticism of chairman of selectors George Bailey and head of cricket, James Allsopp.
Normally after the day's play the ABC would talk to a player, however Cricket Australia is not contractually obliged to do that.
As such, CA exercised its rights not to provide a player for interview on Tuesday evening, which was a first for this Ashes series.
George Bailey and Stuart Clark. Getty
Clark, who is also a NSW selector, was scathing in ABC commentary of Bailey and Allsopp on Monday.
"James Allsopp who runs cricket in Australia, the head of cricket, community cricket, is a grade club cricket coach that throws underarm balls to kids," Clark said on ABC Radio.
"That's what his background is. He's a lovely guy, don't get me wrong. But he now runs the whole of cricket. He can't tell Andrew McDonald or Steve Smith what to do.
"[Ben Oliver] runs high-performance cricket, but I'm not really sure what he does now.
"Then you have George, 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."
Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg said on day three those comments were "out of order" from the ex-Test bowler.
"When I see criticism of him [Allsopp], I think it touches on the personal criticism. I thought that was unwarranted," he said.
"It was made very clear to me that they were not comments attributed to Cricket NSW. They were comments attributed to Stuart personally.
"I'm not going to get into a war of words with Stuart because I've got very high regard for him, but when I think that someone's got it wrong, I'll say it."
CA has not commented specifically on withholding interviews, but presenter Corbin Middlemas confirmed the ABC had been told no player would be provided.
"What we've been told tonight is that the Australian cricket team will not be providing anyone to chat with us based off those comments (by Clark) that were made yesterday morning," he said on air today.
He added the decision was "extremely disappointing" for listeners across the country.
"We're still here, we're still on the boundary edge. We'll still talk about it, but we won't get to hear an opinion from the playing group themselves," he said.
Greenberg also said he raised the issue with Clark. The former Aussie quick then claimed on ABC radio that he initiated that conversation.
Todd Greenberg. Getty Images for Cricket Austral
Clark, who worked with Greenberg at the NRL and NSWRL, said they're friends but admitted they have disagreements.
"The only thing I wanted to clear up is Todd didn't confront me. I've sought Todd out, and I went and spoke to him about it," he said on the ABC.
"We spoke about it ... and we obviously don't agree, but that's cool.
Clark added at other times throughout the series he's been complimentary of CA.
"So that seems to be missed. It's not just all a one-way street," he said.
has stopped conducting player interviews with the ABC after Stuart Clark delivered stinging criticism of chairman of selectors and head of cricket, James Allsopp.
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