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Follow UsGood times come and go, but in the end, quality prevails.
Adam Zampa has gone through both ends of this spectrum over the last seven weeks. For 20 months between January 2022 and August 31, 2023, Zampa was the leading spinner in world cricket across both finger spin and wrist spin variants.
In this time period, the Aussie leg-spinner had snapped 34 wickets in 15 ODIs. His ratio of 2.3 wickets per innings was the best among all spinners. He had the joint-second-most wickets for a spinner and had the best bowling average alongside an economy of 5. Zampa had an edge over batters like Mohammad Rizwan, Kane Williamson, and Jos Buttler in this period.
But as Australia’s preparation for the World Cup began with a five-match ODI series in South Africa, Zampa’s fortunes hit a bump. Post a four-wicket haul in the second ODI, the wrist-spinner averaged 61.4 at an economy of 7.4 in the next six ODIs. The poor run started with a beating in Centurion. Going for 0/113, he leveled the record for the most expensive 10-over spell in ODI cricket.
As those figures indicate, he was neither picking wickets nor ceasing the runs. In five of these ODIs, the leg-spinner went at more than six runs per over.
Despite being the top spinner not long back, Zampa arrived at the World Cup in research of rhythm. On a pitch helpful for spinners in Australia’s campaign opener against India, he was subverted by KL Rahul. The captain didn’t use him well. On the day three Indian spinners snapped six wickets between them at 3.5 runs per over, Zampa was limited to 0/53 in eight overs.
In addition, the 31-year-old has also been suffering from various niggles, in the back, neck, shoulder, and glute, alongside illness, in this World Cup. Battling a sudden slump, Zampa has been key to Australia’s comeback in the tournament.
Following the two defeats, Zampa pouched 4/47 in Australia’s first win against Sri Lanka. He was the player of the match but didn’t feel at his best. “To be honest, did not feel great. Been sporting a back spasm for a couple of days but maybe bowled better,” he said after that match.
Zampa went off the field after his eighth over, not taking a shot at a five-for. He was seen removing an orthopedic belt from his back before heading into the dressing room. Four days later, he delivered another four-wicket haul in Australia’s second win.
Pakistan were still in the game when Zampa came back for his remaining three overs. They needed 102 runs from 72 balls with six wickets in hand. Iftikhar Ahmed had just clubbed three sixes.
As soon as the game had come alive, Zampa killed it back. He bamboozled Ahmed with the one that hit him right in front of the middle stump. The game left Rizwan with the humongous task to add another 100 runs with the lower order. In the next over, he foxed Rizwan, too, in another LBW dismissal. He started the spell with figures of 1/38 in seven overs. He finished with 4/53. In his second spell, he had snared the wicket of Babar Azam.
The wrist-spinner bowled 51.6% of his deliveries within the stumps, bowling at an average speed of 91.6 kph - relatively higher for a leg-spinner, but it is a modus operandi for him. Throughout his spell, the wrist spinner pulled his length back every time the batter charged against him. That is how he dismissed Mohammad Nawaz to complete a four-for. In his first spell, he kept Imam Ul Haq at bay, spotting his foot movement early. As a result, he bowled only four boundary balls in his 10 overs.
"He [Zampa] has been in the bed for the last week or two. He's a real wicket-taker in the middle. Babar Azam and Iftikhar [Ahmed] at the end when he was going - two big wickets,” said Pat Cummins in the post-match presentation.
“He's had a flu, he's had a sore back, he's had a bad neck and he's had a bad glute, but he's been bowling well. This game was the best he has bowled,” Marcus Stoinis told Star Sports after the game.
The wrist-spinner regaining his touch is vital to Australia’s campaign. That can be observed in how their revival in the World Cup is intertwined. During Zampa’s transient slide, Australia lost each of the six ODIs in which the leg-spinner featured.
In ODIs since 2022, Zampa has snapped nearly 25% of Australia’s wickets in the 11-40 overs phase. He is the only specialist spinner in the squad. When Ashton Agar was ruled out, Australia trusted him to pull it off with Glenn Maxwell as the second spinner. It testifies to the faith the five-time champions show in him.
In this World Cup especially, the lack of swing has negated Mitchell Starc upfront, Australia’s reliable source of wickets with the new ball. Hence, it is imperative for Zampa to be among the wickets in the middle. Australia pacers have the best economy in the 11-40 phase so he is allowed to go for a few runs.
Over the past week, the spinners have narrowed down the gap with pacers in terms of bowling average. With spinners coming into play, the 31-year-old can have a growing influence in the tournament. While others are slowing the ball down to garner success, Zampa will be a bit flatter, in line with the stumps, cramping the batter for room, like he did to Iftikhar Ahmed.
