Australia leg-spinner Adam Zampa is keen to break into the Test squad after the team’s disappointing defeat against India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener. Adam Zampa says he feels comfortable playing red-ball cricket despite playing just three first-class matches over the past few years.
The Pat Cummins-led side suffered their second heavy defeat on their home turf. Australia lost the first match by 295 runs at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Nathan Lyon failed to pick up a wicket in the first innings and got two in the second while the Indians fired their attacking shots.
Adam Zampa has played three first-class matches in the past decade.
Zampa’s white-ball commitments have left him unable to play in first-class matches. During his career, he took 115 first-class wickets in 41 matches at an average of 46.56. In the three first-class games he has played in the last decade, Zampa has taken 10 wickets at an impressive average of 28.7.
The spinner took four wickets in New South Wales’ Sheffield Shield loss to Tasmania. This was his first Shield game since February 2023. This performance earned him a spot in the Test team. He is unlikely to be selected for the home series against India but is still being considered for the tour of Sri Lanka.
I also want to challenge – Adam Zampa
Adam Zampa believes he is a better red-ball bowler now than at any point in his career. He expressed his desire to be part of the Australian Test team for the tour of Sri Lanka. Zampa said his career may not end with a Test debut, but he does not want to regret not giving his best.
“It’s something I want to do and challenge myself. If I have to end my career and it doesn’t go that way, I’ll be fine,” Zampa said.
“One day I might look back and feel I wasn’t 100 per cent successful. I want to play this game and I feel like I want to get my hands on the ball and get fired up for the tour of Sri Lanka.”
“If I’m in that Tour it’s important that I have some mileage in my legs and Sunday was like that so it’s not a huge shock to the system,” he added.
I wanted to play a lot of first-class cricket – Adam Zampa
Adam Zampa said his early years in red-ball cricket were affected by a lack of confidence and consistency despite his desire to play. He said his confidence and ability to read the game improved over time. Zampa added that he is yet to get his full opportunity in red-ball cricket.
“I wanted to play a lot of first-class cricket when I was younger, but I probably wasn’t as good or confident as I am now,” Zampa said.
“I was pitching a lot worse than I knew I would. I wasn’t as confident in reading the game, but now I feel like I can read guys a lot better and I have less mental fog. I’ve been able to take a little bit of time. The more you try to hold on until the end, the more resilient the wicket will be on the first day.“
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