ICC World Cup 2023: Adam Zampa probably best white-ball spinner in last two years, feels Aaron Finch

Add as a preferred source on Google

Former Australia captain Aaron Finch has praised compatriot Adam Zampa, labelling him as the premier white-ball spinner in the last two years as he features among the leading wicket-takers in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023.

Zampa has claimed 19 wickets in 7 matches at an average of 17.15 and a decent economy rate of 5.52. While he started the tournament without much impact, Zampa has found his form in the last few matches.

The 31-year-old went wicketless against India in the opener and followed that with a single scalp against South Africa on spin-friendly tracks. But since then he has claimed 18 wickets, including 3 consecutive four-wicket hauls and two three-wicket innings.

As Australia prepare to take on Afghanistan in their penultimate match of the league stage, former skipper Finch explained how Zampa has been one of the best spinner in white-ball format over the last two years.

"Adam Zampa was outstanding again for Australia. I wrote in my last column about how impressive he has been and what stands out for me is how well he is reading the batters," Finch wrote in his column for ICC.

"With spin, half the battle is knowing when to bowl your variations based on reading the batters and the conditions. He is bowling so beautifully at the moment and he has taken so many crucial wickets.

"There will be a lot of work that goes into reading batters, from the backroom staff and the senior players, but the preparation that he puts in himself is right up there as well.

"At times, you can get caught when you play against teams or individuals so much that you just sort of go through the motions of preparation at times because you get comfortable but Zamps dots his I's and crosses his T's each and every game.

"That has shone through in his unbelievable consistency, taking at least three wickets in five consecutive games. He has been probably the premier white-ball spinner for a couple of years across the two white-ball formats around the world, so this is really good recognition of the skill of his craft."

While Zampa, one of the leading wicket-takers in the tournament, has been vital in the last few matches, Finch feels it will be the pacer that will play a big role against Afghanistan on a batting-friendly wicket at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Tuesday (November 7).

"Against Afghanistan, however, I think it will be the pace bowlers who will have more of a say. They are playing at the Wankhede, which probably plays into Australia's hands," added Finch.

"It is a really good cricket wicket; it helps pace a little bit more than it does spin. It bounces traditionally which can make it very good for batting once you get in, but it can be a difficult place to start your innings."

Source: Press Release