I think I still have a chance to play Test cricket: Adam Zampa

Adam Zampa is one of the best spinners in the white-ball formats in modern-day cricket. However, he has his sights set on showcasing his skills in the Test arena.

Zampa has only played six first-class games since 2017. The leg-spinner has appeared in only two red-ball matches in the last five years. The primary reason behind his absence from the red-ball format is his busy schedule in white-ball cricket. Zampa has played 99 ODIs and 87 T20Is for Australia and also plies his trade in several franchise T20 leagues around the world. However, he is yet to receive his maiden Test cap.

Previously, Zampa had opened up about his disappointment after missing last year’s Test tour of India after being told that he was in contention for selection. The selectors eventually opted for Queensland’s Mitchell Swepson.

“I think, realistically, [I’m] still a chance to play Test cricket,” he told the Final Word podcast. “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 told the Final Word podcast.

Nathan Lyon is Australia’s premier spinner in Tests. In home conditions, it is rare for the Men in Yellow to field two spinners. However, they are scheduled to travel to Sri Lanka early next year for a two-match Test series. Zampa could have a role to play on that tour if he is selected. The 32-year-old will get a chance to impress the selectors during the Sheffield Shield, either side of Pakistan’s visit in November for ODIs and T20Is. The Shellharbour-born, who averages a dismal 46.98 in first-class cricket, is confident that he will do well if he gets picked for the Sri Lanka tour.

“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.