Spinner Adam Zampa to play crucial death overs role at ODI World Cup

Adam Zampa got a sore neck in South Africa as he was smashed in a record-equalling horror show, but he remains the No.1 man for the ODI World Cup in India.

The sight of Adam Zampa being smashed to all parts of Centurion Oval in South Africa as he conceded a record-equalling 113 runs in the fourth ODI was a rude shock to the star spinner a month out from the World Cup in India.

It was an unexpected take-down of arguably Australia’s best-performed short-form bowler, but the exuberant leggie, who was hammered for nine sixes and eight fours in the onslaught, wasn’t on his own.

Without front-liners Mitchell Starc and captain Pat Cummins, all the Aussie bowlers copped a hammering, particularly at the back end of the final three matches, conceding on average 10.31 runs per over in the final 10 overs as the home team turned a 0-2 deficit into a 3-2 series win.

Zampa’s appearances through the series had been sporadic as he overcame a viral issue, and the smacking he copped hasn’t deterred Australian skipper Cummins from revealing Zampa will be given a crucial role during the ODI World Cup in India that begins next month.

Adam Zampa has a big role to play in India. Picture: Phill Magakoe / AFP

Zampa, who took seven wickets in the two matches he played either side of the Centurion horror show, has proven himself to be an effective wicket-taker in the “death” overs of games, and with subcontinental wickets set to bring his skills to the fore, Cummins said closing out an innings could be left to the leggie.

“Particularly if you pick four frontline bowlers, you’ve got to be ready to bowl in all phases,” Cummins said ahead of Friday’s first of three ODIs against India in Mohali.

“‘Zamps’, he’s effective at not only keeping the run rate down but he can take a couple of wickets at the death, which is really important as well and sometimes it’s a bit harder for pace bowlers to do that.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if we keep two, three or four overs up our sleeve with him.”

Zampa’s importance to the Australian World Cup campaign has increased, with fellow spinner Ashton Agar having played little cricket due to a calf injury and part-time helper Glenn Maxwell in the same boat after an ankle injury.

Travis Head, who could also have aided the spin bowling department, broke his hand in South Africa and his World Cup availability remains clouded.

Zampa was still a wicket-taker in South Africa despite his record smashing. Picture: Phill Magakoe / AFP

Cummins, who is returning from a fractured wrist suffered during the Ashes, said the three matches in India would be crucial in bedding down World Cup plans, including batting orders.

He hopes to play all three game in India, but he and the selectors remain conscious of not overdoing the workload.

“We want to strike a balance between getting used to these conditions, hopefully winning some games, but also we don’t want to get to that first game (of the World Cup against India on October 8) and already be cooked,” Cummins said.

“No doubt we‘ll be trying a few different combinations, and a few different players will get a chance.

“But ideally, we’d like to structure up pretty closely to how we’re going to play in the World Cup.

“So batters batting in similar positions, as a captain I want to get used to how you use bowlers over here, as it might be a bit differently to say South Africa or back in Australia – does the second spinner play a part?

“Hopefully, we get some answers over the next few games.”