Adam Zampa to suit up for NSW in hunt for elusive Australian Test debut in Sri Lanka

Adam Zampa will do something he has only done a handful of times in the last five years in a dramatic bid for a Test berth in Sri Lanka in January. See who else could be in the frame.

Adam Zampa is likely to make a rare first-class appearance in the coming weeks as he steps up his bid to be part of Australia’s Test tour of Sri Lanka.

The nation’s pre-eminent white-ball spinner has played just two Sheffield Shield matches in almost five years however it’s understood that he has been earmarked to play for NSW in one of the Blues’ remaining two pre-Christmas Shield matches, both of which are at the SCG against Tasmania and Western Australia respectively.

It is unclear which of the two games Zampa will play, and it is unlikely he would appear in both.

Adam Zampa is hoping to swap the green Australian T20 tracksuit for a baggy green in Sri Lanka. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images.

The Tassie game begins on Sunday, while the clash with WA starts on December 6.

The leggie’s red-ball opportunities have been limited in recent years given his white-ball commitments with Australia and on the franchise circuit.

That NSW has also possessed fellow spinners Nathan Lyon, Tanveer Sangha and Chris Green has diminished the urgency from the Blues’ perspective for Zampa to play in the four-day competition.

Zampa, 32, has a modest first-class record, averaging just under 47 with the ball from 40 matches, although he performed strongly during his most recent Shield appearance in February last year, taking 3-41 against the Tigers after being bypassed for the Test tour of India.

But the two-time World Cup winner, who reached 200 international appearances over the weekend, has repeatedly spoken of his desire to win a baggy green despite not being renowned for his red-ball exploits.

The two-Test series in Sri Lanka, beginning in late January, shapes as a potential avenue into the Test arena for Zampa given the Aussies will take at least three specialist spinners in their squad and the fact Pat Cummins may miss some if not all of the series because of the birth of his second child.

Matthew Kuhnemann made his debut the last time Australia travelled to India. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images.

Corey Rocchiccioli will by vying for a Test berth in Sri Lanka. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.

Nathan Lyon is a lock if fit while left-armer Matt Kuhnemann’s point of difference makes him a compelling option. Off-spinners Todd Murphy and Corey Rocchiccioli are likely vying for one spot between them at most. Of the wrist-spinners, Mitchell Swepson hasn’t played for Australia since the Test series in Sri Lanka in 2022 and appears to be out-of-favour. Sangha, who has been Zampa’s white-ball understudy, is also an option, however Zampa is believed to be in the frame.

Travis Head’s off-spin also proved more than useful in Sri Lanka two years ago, while the prospect of all-rounder Glenn Maxwell being part of the Test squad is another consideration.

Maxwell, 36, could also play a Shield game for Victoria before the Big Bash League break, and could potentially feature in the Prime Minister’s XI two-day match against the touring Indians that falls between the first and second Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. Spare Australian paceman Scott Boland could also play in that game.

Wicketkeeper Josh Inglis has long shaped as a likely tourist for the Sri Lanka series and has only firmed after being named as the spare batter in the Australian Test squad for the first Test against India.

WA coach Adam Voges indicated on Friday he was optimistic Inglis would be able to play some cricket in the coming weeks rather than just carrying the drinks for the Aussies during the Test series.

Injury-prone pace duo Jhye Richardson and Lance Morris could also return to the Shield arena in WA’s pink-ball game against South Australia in Adelaide beginning on Saturday.

Originally published as Adam Zampa to suit up for NSW in hunt for elusive Australian Test debut in Sri Lanka