There were plenty of smiles and loads of enthusiasm yesterday afternoon when Australian cricketer Adam Zampa spent a few hours bowling to members of the Marist Brothers Cricket Club juniors in the nets behind Mortimer Oval.

Adam has been part of Australia's Limited Overs team (50 overs and T20) since 2016 and is regarded as one of the country's best limited overs bowlers.

As the Marist Brothers juniors gathered around getting tips on how to bowl spin, they also got a chance to bat against the spin magician who, while taking it easy, still mesmerized the batsmen with his googley's.

Adam is now a local Northern Rivers resident after purchasing a property near Bangalow with his wife Harriet Palmer and their son in 2020.

"As a local living 20 minutes down the road and seeing the devastation that this area went through a year ago, I've only been in the area for three years, it was the first time for me to see that kind of devastation in this area."

"I actually saw Lismore this time last year, I saw Mullumbimby, I saw the devastation with my own eyes and it's the one-year anniversary today, as well."

"The Grassroots Cricket Fund is something that the players, ACA and Cricket Australia are passionate about, sending money to the clubs that need it. Me being a country boy myself, knowing that country clubs need a lot of help in terms of funding and getting help where they can so for me, it was a no-brainer to come here."

The Grassroots Cricket Fund (GCF) is funded by professional cricket players across the country. In 2022/23 the GCF will provide up to $2 million in support including 188 cricket clubs in NSW.

The Marist Brothers Cricket Club received new equipment after their gear was lost in the floods in 2022 and yesterday they received a treat in the form of Adam Zampa.

"They all kept asking me to show them how to Mankad but it's all been good fun. It's not very often you get to come and have opportunities like this. I remember being a kid being a country boy growing up. I never really got to see any Australian stars. I reckon I saw Brett Lee at a shopping centre in Shellharbour and I was too scared to say hello to him. So, yes, it's nice to be here and the kids have been really good."

Troy Williams is the coach of the Under 12 White team which has a lot of younger players, mostly 9-year-olds.

"Today is unbelievable. You can see all these kids' faces and stuff just frothing over Adam. They've all turned into leg spin bowlers in an afternoon, even the quicks. I think we've got probably one leg spin bowler in our team and now we've got seven," Troy laughs.

When asked how often this happens, Troy replied, "Never, no one like this that comes to town."

With his newfound leg spin bowling fraternity, Adam Zampa jokingly said he's increased his popularity. "When I've asked them who their favourite player is and they're all saying Adam Zampa today. I don't know if that'll be the same tomorrow but hopefully, I've won some hearts today."