Analysis: Adam Zampa has reached irreplaceable status for the Australian ODI side

Had Australia lost to England, Glenn Maxwell’s decision to hop on the back of a golf cart could have been viewed in a much different light. But Adam Zampa wasn’t going to let that happen.

If the moment Nathan Lyon’s calf popped in the outfield at Lord’s is acknowledged as the biggest turning point in this year’s Ashes series because of his sheer irreplaceability in the Australian Test side, then Adam Zampa has too reached such a status in the one-day arena.

That he is the tournament’s leading wicket taker only tells a sliver of the story of how the Aussies’ hopes of a sixth World Cup crown.

Through his first 21 overs at this tournament, Zampa took 1-145. By this point Australia was winless and being drawn into an arm-wrestle by unfancied Sri Lanka.

Zampa had variously battled soreness, swimming into the side of a pool wall and debilitating back spasms just to get to this point.

So significant was the back issue that he relied on codeine just to play against Sri Lanka and has hazy memories of the early stages of that game as a result.

In his ensuing 38 overs, Zampa has taken 18 wickets at an average of 10. That stretch has also marked five straight victories for Australia, who moved from the foot of the table to outright third and almost certain semi-finalists.

Even in that period it hasn’t been smooth-sailing, with illness almost ruling him out of the win over Pakistan.

Adam Zampa helped Australia to an impressive win over England. Picture: AFP Images

His effort on Saturday night at Narendra Modi Stadium was probably the pick of the bunch on several fronts. For one he bowled sublimely, with almost unerring accuracy and dollops of guile.

Removing England captain Jos Buttler as he looked to take the leggie over deep mid-off was one thing.

But then Moeen Ali and Ben Stokes got together.

Stokes had looked scratchy as all get out and with one knee on the operating table for much of his innings, but as he had done so often before, the England talisman had played himself in and flicked the switch.

Sixes either side of 50 ought to have made Australia nervous, and Moeen riding shotgun and driving beautifully, another Stokes rescue job loomed large.

Australian captain Pat Cummins was contemplating bringing on Zampa for the 34th over but tossed the ball to Marcus Stoinis instead. It went for 10 runs, and England’s asking rate was under eight an over with six wickets left.

Zampa wouldn’t be denied though. He returned a couple of overs later and after frustrating Stokes with a couple of dot balls he lulled the veteran into a paddle straight to short fine leg. The Stokes slow build only works if he goes on with the job, and gone for 64 the house was only half-built.

Moeen went holing out to deep midwicket in the 40th over, moving Zampa past Dilshan Madushanka and into outright No. 1 for scalps in this event.

He finished with 3-21 from his 10 overs, and yet even that fails to tell the scale of the performance, which also included a freewheeling 31 and an exceptional lunging outfield catch.

These were not easy conditions to control the ball. The outfield was damp with dew, and the blue towels hanging out the back of the yellow trousers were getting a solid workout. England has quality left-handers in its side too, amplifying the challenge for a leg-spinner.

Zampa also took an incredible outfield catch. Picture: AFP Images

“It got quite wet early actually, probably earlier than we expected,” Zampa said.

“Tonight is as satisfying as it feels in terms of an ODI after 10 overs.

“It’s probably the most satisfying ODI I’ve ever played.”

More to the point Australia was vulnerable. Defeat would have drawn the Aussies back into a four-team clump of sides on eight points fighting for two semi-final positions. Now Australia has breathing space. One more win will be enough to guarantee a spot in the last four.

Then there was the personnel. The man who should thank Zampa most of all is Glenn Maxwell. Had Australia lost this match without its second frontline spinner and middle-order destroyer, his decision to hop on the back of a golf cart could have been viewed as the reason. Instead it will be a source of mirth for years to come, and hopefully a cautionary tale.

The other part of it is that Australia doesn’t have another Zampa. He is the only specialist spinner in the squad, and if he went down the side wouldn’t even have the option of bringing back Ashton Agar, who suffered a recurrence of his calf injury.

Zampa’s singularity was underscored even further when travelling reserve Tanveer Sangha left the nets early on Friday night after getting attention from the team physio.

Zampa said post-match on Saturday night that he had taken the decision not to replace Agar with a specialist spinner as a vote of confidence from the selectors. He is repaying it with interest.

Australia must keep him safe at all times. The good news is he doesn’t play golf. Just keep him out of swimming pools.

Originally published as Analysis: Adam Zampa has reached irreplaceable status for the Australian ODI side