Adam Zampa, one of Australia’s most successful white-ball bowlers, remains hopeful about making his Test cricket debut, despite the limited opportunities he’s had in first-class cricket over recent years. The legspinner, who has only played two first-class matches since 2019, believes his game is still well-suited for the longer format.
Zampa’s ambition to wear the baggy green was reignited after missing out on last year’s Test tour of India, a snub that left him disappointed. “I was told I was a good chance of being picked, but the selectors went with Mitchell Swepson instead,” Zampa reflected during an appearance on the Final Word podcast.
Zampa’s lack of first-class cricket stems from his heavy involvement in Australia‘s white-ball setup, which has left little room for Sheffield Shield matches. He has played just six first-class games since 2017, with his first-class average currently at 46.98, a statistic that he acknowledges will likely draw criticism if he is selected for Test matches.
Despite this, Zampa remains confident. “If I was playing a lot of Shield cricket right now with the way I’m bowling, the bowler I am, I think I’d be fine, I’d be doing really well,” he stated. He believes that his performance in the few red-ball games he’s played in recent years supports this claim.
Australia’s upcoming Test schedule could offer Zampa a chance to prove himself. The national team has a two-Test series in Sri Lanka early next year, where conditions typically favor spin bowlers. Zampa could be among the variety of spin options selected to support veteran Nathan Lyon. Additionally, the summer schedule might provide a rare opportunity for Zampa to play some Sheffield Shield cricket, particularly with Pakistan visiting Australia for ODIs and T20Is in November.
However, Australia’s selectors have made it clear that Sheffield Shield performances aren’t the sole criterion for selection on subcontinent tours. Glenn Maxwell, who is also in the frame for the Sri Lanka trip, is another example of a player who could be chosen based on his skill set rather than recent first-class form.
Zampa, who has established himself as one of Australia’s most reliable white-ball bowlers, emphasized that he would prioritize international duty over franchise cricket. This decision comes after a successful campaign at the 2023 ODI World Cup, where Australia emerged victorious. “Looking forward, the franchise thing isn’t for me. I want to keep playing for Australia as long as I can,” Zampa said, expressing his desire for more success with the national team.
Zampa, who is currently playing in The Hundred for the Oval Invincibles, is the joint-leading wicket-taker in the tournament. He plans to continue his international career with Australia, with upcoming matches against Scotland and England in T20Is, followed by a five-match ODI series.
Whether Zampa’s international future includes Test cricket remains to be seen, but his commitment to representing Australia is unwavering. “I’ve signed a two-year central contract with Cricket Australia, and it’s on the basis of wanting to play every game for Australia,” he concluded.
As Zampa continues to build his legacy in the white-ball formats, his potential Test debut remains a tantalizing prospect for cricket fans worldwide.
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