Adam Zampa is Australia's big bonus in the Caribbean

By David Lord / Expert

Ever since Shane Warne played his last Test, in January 2007, and Stuart MacGill finished his Test career, in June 2008, Australia has been longing for a good leg spinner. And at last, Adam Zampa has surfaced.

The 24-year-old has been great to watch, with good loop, good turn either way, and tremendous accuracy.

He has bowled the most overs for the Australians during the tri-nations in the Caribbean, and taken the most wickets. Mighty impressive when the two opponents are South Africa and the West Indies.

In four games, two against South Africa and two against the Windies, he’s bowled 32.3 overs and taken nine wickets at 19.33 apiece.

Dirt cheap.

Of his 195 deliveries, Zampa has managed 105 dot balls against powerhouse batsmen for 54 per cent of his deliveries scoreless.

He’s only been collared once in four outings.

It was during the last game, against the Windies, when Marlon Samuels climbed into him with three successive sixes from the first three deliveries off the 40th over. He was run out by David Warner next ball.

But throughout those 32.3 overs, Zampa was struck for only seven boundaries, and eight sixes with Denesh Ramdin, Kieron Pollard and Darren Bravo responsible for the three sixes on top of Samuels’ three.

Still very impressive.

Zampa’s only played six ODIs for a dozen wickets at 23, and six T20s for five wickets at 23.60.

Again, very impressive, but still to make his Test debut, which will be sooner than later.

So the Australians, as world champions and ranked world number one, have won two and lost two so far – one of each against South Africa and the Windies.

Interestingly, Australia’s two losses have been when speedster Mitchell Starc was rested, rotated, or whatever – he was missing.

In the two wins, Starc’s figures were 2-37 against the Windies, and 3-43 against South Africa.

Also clear is that when Warner fails or is missing, invariably Australia lose. And it’s happened again in the Caribbean.

With his 55 not out, Australia beat the Windies, but he scored just one when Australia lost to South Africa. He cracked 109 and Australian beat South Africa, and after he broke his index finger and missed the second Windies game, Australia lost.

Also, when will Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell repay the selectors’ faith in them?

Marsh is averaging 14.33 with the bat in the Caribbean, and a massive 105 with the ball.

Maxwell is averaging a pitiful 1.50 with the bat, and just six with the ball, having bowled five overs in taking 3-18 – that doesn’t make him an international off-spinner.

In spite of all the above, it’s high time for the Australians to start playing like the world champions, and live up to the world number one ranking.

The Crowd Says:

2016-06-15T06:22:07+00:00

Ajay

Guest


Little correction- "He was run out by David Warner next ball". It was done by Wade and his top contribution in the series so far. Well, David it seems your long awaited wish is complete. Maxwell is unlikely to get a game in this series, unless Head performes poorely in the next match. The way Head bowled in the last game has caused pain in Maxwell's head.

2016-06-15T03:41:46+00:00

Lancey5times

Guest


It sounds like Zampa at 6 or Nevill and a long tale........

2016-06-15T03:32:53+00:00

Ronan O'Connell

Expert


G'day David, which all-rounder would you pick at no. six in the Test team instead of Marsh?

AUTHOR

2016-06-15T03:09:00+00:00

David Lord

Expert


Hewey, drop MItchell Marsh from the Test side, averaging 23 with the bat, and 34 with the ball - the second most over-rated cricketer in Australia behind Glenn Maxwell.

2016-06-15T03:03:16+00:00

craig swanson

Guest


To look at Zampa's shield record you would say he is a long way off test cricket. But he is definitely on the move. Not too many may know this but the leggie was part of Mitch March's 2010 U19 WC winning team. I was impressed with Travis Head on his debut. Super accurate, got good turn and bounce. Unlucky not get a couple of scalps.

2016-06-14T23:33:05+00:00

Hewy

Guest


Question is when can he play test cricket for Australia? At what point do you drop Lyon? Hopefully there's a chance of playing two spinners in SL, but that opportunity won't occur again for another year or so. Lyon regularly does enough to stay in the side, but it does make it tough to blood players like zampa.

2016-06-14T23:11:22+00:00

Bearfax

Guest


Adam is beginning to show all that potential that was hoped would reveal itself and give Australia the next level of spin attack. His performances on the Caribbean tour have seemed outstanding. Is this the start of the rise of our next test spin bowler? I certainly hope so.

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