Adam Zampa sets sights on Nathan Lyon’s spot, ready to fight the 'GOAT' for spot in Australian Test team
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Australian legspinner Adam Zampa has expressed his desire to wear the baggy green and play Test matches for Australia. Zampa has earlier spoken about his disappointment in missing out on possible Tests where Australia would need two spinners in their bowling line-up.
During last year's Test series in India, Zampa was in line to be selected in Australia's Test squad. But the selectors preferred another legspinner Mitchell Swepson in Zampa's place, which led to Zampa's disappointment.
Nathan Lyon is Australia's No.1 spinner in the longest format currently. He is Australia's preferred first-choice spinner and is a regular member of home Tests. In the Tests suitable for spin bowling, Australia usually goes in with another spinner complimenting Lyon, where Zampa could be a real option.
Adam Zampa expresses his desire to play Test cricket
During a recent podcast on the show 'Final Word', Zampa was asked about his chances to play Test cricket in the future. The legspinner felt that if he was continuously playing Shield cricket, he would have been performing well.
"I think, realistically, [I'm] still a chance to play Test cricket. 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," Zampa said on the podcast.
Surprisingly, Adam Zampa is yet to make his Test debut even after playing 99 ODIs and 87 T20Is. He made his international debut way back in February 2016. His first-class average of 46.98 also doesn't make him a positive option for red-ball cricket.
But despite his poor first-class average, Zampa is confident of doing well in Test cricket given his current bowling form.
"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," Zampa said.
"I want to keep playing for Australia" - Adam Zampa
The 32-year-old legspinner also expressed his desire to prioritize the national duties over franchise cricket. He stated that he wants to prioritize Australia and recently signed a two-year deal as well.
"I was lucky to…be part of a winning World Cup team. 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 with Australia and it's on the basis of wanting to play every game for Australia. It meant I had to make some decisions around franchise cricket," Zampa stated.
Adam Zampa records in international cricket
In order to be available for more matches for Australia, Adam Zampa withdrew from this year's IPL and MLC in order to be fresh for international cricket.
Adam Zampa is one of the best bowlers for Australia in white-ball cricket. In 99 ODIs, he has picked up 169 wickets at an average of 28.05 and an economy rate of 5.47. He has also proved to be an influential bowler in T20Is where he has picked up 105 wickets in 87 matches at an average of 21.60 and an economy rate of 7.22.
