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Zampa enthralled by Afghan leggie Rashid

3 minute read

Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa is delighted to be back in the one-day set-up and benefited from a one-on-one session with Afghanistan star Rashid Khan.

ADAM ZAMPA of Australia dives for the ball during the One Day International series between India and Australia at Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground in Nagpur, India.
ADAM ZAMPA of Australia dives for the ball during the One Day International series between India and Australia at Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground in Nagpur, India. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

He may be back in form and favour with Australian selectors, but Adam Zampa has laughed off any comparisons with Afghan legspin sensation Rashid Khan.

Twelve months after being overlooked for a place in an injury-depleted squad that travelled to England for a five-match series, Zampa is now pushing for a place in the side for the tournament opener against Afghanistan.

The knockabout New South Welshman earned his place in the 15-man squad thanks to strong showings against India and Pakistan in March.

Zampa took 11 wickets at 25.81 in the memorable 3-2 come-from-behind series win on the subcontinent, and then claimed another seven scalps in the 5-0 success over Pakistan in the UAE.

It was the first time since 2008 that Australia had clinched a five-match series sweep away from home, with Zampa playing a starring role in the second match with a career-best haul of 4-43.

The 27-year-old admitted he'd made a point of watching other legspinners in an effort to improve his game, and pigeon-holed Rashid for a net session after a BBL match in Victoria.

"I had a bowl with Rash after the Stars v Strikers game this year," Zampa said.

"I've always been intrigued by him and said: 'I am going to have a bowl with this guy'.

"I went into the Strikers' room and he was sat there licking a Calippo that was dripping down the front of his shirt and he said 'yeah, I'll come for a bowl.'

"To his credit he spent about 45 minutes with me ... and I am so glad I did that because I now know I could never bowl like Rashid.

"Rashid Khan is a once-in-a-lifetime bowler."

Australia will come face to face with Rashid in Bristol on June 1 when they begin their title defence, and Zampa is well placed to advise his teammates on what to expect from a legspinner who runs in like a seamer.

"The reason he runs in so fast is because he's got really thick fingers and holds the ball right at the end," he said.

"I bowl it right in my palm. He bowls it right at the end and he's so hard to pick because he just uses the end of his fingers.

"I tried doing it but they were just slipping out, I was like 'this bloke is unbelievable'."

Asked if he felt Rashid got as much out of the experience as he did, the self-deprecating Zampa quipped: "If you ask him I'd like to think he said yes, but I reckon he'd say no."

Nathan Lyon's form with the white ball has also been encouraging and Zampa felt a double-headed spin attack at the World Cup could pay dividends for the five-time champions.

"We play different roles. He is so accurate, a beautiful off spinner and bowls with his field really well," Zampa said.

"He bowls really tight so it means I can attack from the other end.

"It's going to play a huge role for us. I don't think it will be in every game at the World Cup but maybe some games."

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