Adam Zampa returns to training ‘ready to go’ after fitness ultimatum
AFTER being given an ultimatum by Redbacks high performance manager Tim Nielsen to shape up or risk being shipped out, Adam Zampa has reported to training in peak physical condition and vowed SA can win the JLT One-Day Cup.
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AFTER being given an ultimatum by Redbacks high performance manager Tim Nielsen to shape up over winter or risk being shipped out, Adam Zampa has reported to training in peak physical condition and vowed SA can win the JLT One-Day Cup.
On his first day back at training following three months away playing for English County club Essex and the Jamaica Tallawahs in the Caribbean Premier League, legspinner Zampa produced a personal best 2km time trial on Monday and declared “I’m ready to go’’.
“I had a bit of pressure put on me from Tim Nielsen before I left,’’ Australian limited-overs specialist Zampa revealed.
“He wanted to know if I was taking my cricket seriously and if I wanted to get (back) into the Australian team.
“Justin Langer is the Australian coach now and he puts a big emphasis on the physical side of things so I made sure that I looked after myself.
“I felt like I bowled really well while I was away, kept myself in good shape and have been working on a few things with my bowling too, which has been good.
“I feel like I’ve come back with a lot of energy and that I’m ready to go.’’
Zampa, 26, has played 31 one-day and 13 Twenty20’s for Australia.
Asked how much his body shape had changed over winter, he replied: “I’m not sure yet because I’m pretty scared to get my skinfolds done because I reckon ‘Schwerdty’ (physical performance manager) grabs a bit too much.
“But I ran a personal best 2km and haven’t done a pre-season (of fitness work) so I do feel like I’m ready to go.’’
Zampa has his sights set on representing Australia at next year’s World Cup in England and is using the JLT One-Day Cup to push his case.
The Redbacks’ squad will fly to Perth on Wednesday for two practice games before their competition opener against New South Wales on September 20.
“The JLT is going to be really big for me personally,’’ Zampa said.
“I’ve had a couple of years in and out of the one-day team and my focus at the moment is on the World Cup.
“For me to get into that team the (Sheffield) Shield season is going to be really big for me too because there is a big break between the JLT and the Big Bash (domestic Twenty 20 competition) and to be continuously bowling and playing good cricket will be my only way into that (Australian World Cup) squad.’’
The Redbacks have been runners-up in two of the past three JLT Cup competitions — in 2015 and 2017 — and Zampa believes they are ready win some silverware.
“We’ve got a lot of guys on the fringe (of Australian selection) and think we can give the competition a serious crack again this year,’’ he said.
“Ferg (Callum Ferguson) is one of the best one-day players in the world and has been smacking them about at training and our bowling attack is really settled, so if we don't give it a serious crack something will be wrong.’’
andrew.capel@news.com.au