Australian captain Mitchell Marsh has hailed leg-spinner Adam Zampa as he prepares to reach a significant milestone in his career. Zampa is set to play his 100th One Day International (ODI) against England on Thursday, a testament to his remarkable journey and impact on the Australian team.
Marsh, speaking at a pre-match press conference, lauded Zampa’s growth both as a cricketer and as a person. “Zamps has certainly had his ups and downs, but the way he’s gone about it over the last four or five years is commendable,” Marsh said. “He’s tracking towards being one of our greatest ever ODI players.”
Zampa’s importance to the team cannot be overstated, according to Marsh. “He’s one of our go-to men with the ball over a 50-over period,” Marsh emphasized. “He thrives off the bigger moments, which is what all great players do.”
Zampa’s ability to perform under pressure has been a key factor in his success. He has taken 169 wickets in 99 matches, with his best figures of 5/35 against New Zealand in 2022. His impressive performances have also earned him a high ranking in the T20I bowlers’ rankings, where he is just one rating point behind Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga in fifth place.
Despite the ongoing debate about the future of the ODI format, Zampa remains committed to playing for Australia. “Every young guy coming through still thinks that’s the be-all and end-all,” Zampa said. “There are obviously those other opportunities in terms of franchise cricket, but all these different competitions give other guys opportunities.”
As Zampa prepares to reach his 100th ODI, he is poised to continue making a significant contribution to Australian cricket. His skill, determination, and ability to perform under pressure make him a valuable asset to the team and a role model for aspiring young cricketers.
