August 10, 2024

Zampa: “Test Cricket Remains Realistic for me”

The leg spinner, who has had limited red-ball opportunities in recent years, might find an opening this October.

Adam Zampa remains hopeful of wearing the baggy green, confident that his game will hold up in Tests despite having played little first-class cricket in the past six years.

Zampa has previously expressed his disappointment over missing last year’s Test tour of India. After being told he had a strong chance of selection, the selectors chose Queensland’s Mitchell Swepson instead.

Due to his demanding white-ball schedule, Zampa has played only two first-class matches since 2019, both for New South Wales, after returning to the state where his career began in 2020, following seven years in South Australia. In total, he has featured in just six first-class games since 2017.

Adam Zampa Eyes Test Cricket Opportunities with Confidence and Upcoming Tour Prospects

“I think, realistically, [I’m] still a chance to play Test cricket,” he told the Final Word podcast. “If I was playing a lot of Shield cricket right now with the way I’m bowling, the bowler I am, think I’d be fine, I’d be doing really well. The few games I have played in the last couple of years are suggestive of that.”

Although playing two spinners in home Tests is uncommon, Australia has a two-Test series in Sri Lanka early next year, where they’ll likely bring a range of spin options to support Nathan Lyon. The upcoming summer schedule also presents Zampa with a rare opportunity to participate in Sheffield Shield cricket, with potential openings on either side of Pakistan’s ODI and T20I tour in November.

Australia’s selectors have clarified that Sheffield Shield performances aren’t the only factor in choosing players for subcontinent tours. Glenn Maxwell is also being considered for the Sri Lanka series. Despite an average of 46.98 in first-class cricket, Zampa is now confident that his game can adapt to the demands of Test cricket.

And he said “Even if I do get picked in the upcoming subcontinent tours, people will say, well his record is averaging 46 with the ball, it’s not good enough, people will say that I’m sure, but if I do get picked I’ll know that the way I feel like I’m bowling, it’ll be fine,”.

Prioritizing National Duty: Adam Zampa’s Commitment to Australia Over Franchise Cricket

Whether Zampa’s international future includes Test cricket, he has made it clear that he will prioritize representing Australia over participating in franchise leagues, especially after the high of winning the 2023 ODI World Cup. This year, he withdrew from the IPL and MLC and confirmed signing a two-year central contract with Cricket Australia.

Zampa is currently playing in The Hundred for Oval Invincibles, where he’s the joint-leading wicket-taker in the tournament. He mentioned that the game fits well with his lifestyle and the schedule this season, especially with Australia touring the UK in September. However, he emphasized that he doesn’t want to spend extended periods away from home outside of international cricket.

“I was lucky to…be part of a winning World Cup team,” he said. “Looking forward, the franchise thing isn’t for me. I want to keep playing for Australia as long as I can, the feeling of success in that team is something I want more of. I’m lucky enough to have signed a two-year contract with Australia, and it’s because I want to play every game for Australia. It meant I had to make some decisions around franchise cricket.”

Zampa, the only Australian men’s bowler with over 100 T20 wickets, will next play for Australia in three T20Is against Scotland early next month. This will be followed by three T20s against England and five ODIs.