“I’ve performed well in the World T20 (in India in 2016) and the IPL”
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Spinner Adam Zampa believes that he has already proven that he deserves a place in the Test team when Australia tour India next month.
Zampa has never featured in the longest format of the game for Australia, but has represented his country in 19 ODIs, where he has taken 30 wickets at an average of 27.80, and eight Twenty20 Internationals, in which he has claimed nine wickets at an average of 17.88.
The 24-year-old’s figures in the subcontinent are particularly impressive as he has played 11 limited overs matches and picked up 18 wickets at an average of 16.11.
Furthermore, in his maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) season last year, he finished with 12 wickets at an average of 9.58 for the Sunrisers Hyderbad, who went on to win the tournament.
With that in mind, Zampa feels that there is no reason why he should be overlooked for the forthcoming four-Test series against India.
“I’ve performed well in the World T20 (in India in 2016) and the IPL and I think I’ve really earned the respect of some of the Indian players over there as well,” he said. “To have my experience over there I think it would lead me in good stead towards playing in India.”
But, getting into the squad will be a lot easier said than done as Nathan Lyon and Steve O’Keefe are set to be Australia’s two go-to spinners for the tour. While Australia are likely to pick more, Zampa will be in competition with a number of viable candidates, including Ashton Agar, Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Swepson.
While this may be the case, Zampa is confident that if he is selected, it will be hugely beneficial for the Baggy Greens.
“That’s one of the things that people talk about me as one of my strong points – my character,” he said. “I don’t find myself as the most skilful cricketer going around but I do find myself as a great competitor and I do really like the competitive side of cricket.”
Meanwhile, Zampa was recently dropped from the ODI squad after the first ODI against New Zealand last month, where he finished with figures of 2-66 off 10 overs.
Opening up about the series, the 24-year-old admitted that watching the final two ODIs from the sidelines was a bitter pill to swallow.
“It was very disappointing for me not to play the last ODIs against New Zealand and it was simply because I don’t like not playing,” he said. “I just want to compete and be able to play for the team.”