Vegan Adam Zampa needs to stock up on supplies before entering meat-loving Free State province

Back in 1998, a Qantas flight dropped 1900 tins of baked beans to India to rescue Shane Warne. Adam Zampa, a passionate Vegan, is about to enter an area where meat and game is the staple diet. He may need the same help.

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - FEBRUARY 26: Adam Zampa of Australia celebrate the wicket of Pite van Biljon of South Africa during the 3rd KFC T20 International match between South Africa and Australia at Newlands Cricket Stadium on February 26, 2020 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

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Shane Warne once managed to get a container of baked beans shipped to his hotel in India, but finding nutritional yeast in Bloemfontein is another matter altogether.

Vegan spinner Adam Zampa has revealed the lengths he must go to as he prepares to enter the heart of Afrikaner South Africa with enough food to sustain him for the upcoming one-day tour.

Zampa and fast bowler Kane Richardson are passionate Vegans about to enter the Free State province of South Africa where meat and game is the staple diet.

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Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar have formed an impressive spin tandem for the Aussies.

Back in 1998, a Qantas flight dropped 1900 tins of baked beans to India to rescue legendary spinner Warne, who hated the local spicy food.

But the task ahead of Zampa and Richardson this weekend ahead of the team’s departure to Bloemfontein on Monday is perhaps just as extreme.

“It’s difficult in some places, more than others,” said Zampa.

“In Cape Town there are beautiful vegan options everywhere. There are at least 10 places you can go to here that are fully Vegan.

“The food here is amazing and it’s obviously an amazing city.

“But there’s some places where you have to plan ahead – particularly the places we’re going to (Bloemfontein and Potchefstroom).

“I might have to do a little bit of prep.

South Africa didn’t have much of an idea of how to play Zampa in the T20 series.

“Kane and I have already spoken about this. We’re going to have to go to Woolworths and stock up on some stuff because I reckon there’s a lot of – what do they call it here? Braais? In those places, we’re going to struggle a bit.

“Usually when I go to India, I take so many miso soups, packet noodles, I take this thing called nutritional yeast everywhere, apple cider vinegar.

“I mainly become a Fruitarian in those places.”

Zampa smiles when told how legendary NRL coach Phil Gould critiqued his bowling during the T20 series against South Africa, and highlighted how the leg-spinner from the NSW South Coast epitomises the competitiveness and will to win you look for in any athlete.

The 27-year-old knows he’s not the best spinner in the world, and freely admits he still doesn’t feel comfortable in Australia’s white ball teams after a history of being chopped and changed out of the XI.

But it all just plays into his biggest strength – Gould’s first impression watching from the couch at home.

“I’ve always been competitive. A lot of it is put down to the fact – and I’ve said this before – I don’t see myself as the most skilful leg-spinner in the world,” said Zampa.

Shane Warne loves his baked beans.

“You think of guys like Rashid Khan and Imran Tahir and people like that who are really hard to pick and whatever else you want to say about them.

“I don’t think I’m the most skilful leg spinner, so I’ve always had to have the edge. Something that stands me apart from the really skilful guy.

“I just try and get as competitive as I can. I want the ball under pressure and I want to win games for whoever I’m playing for. I’ve got to get it done and that’s how I’m going to do it. That’s where my competitiveness comes from.”

Zampa is hoping the spin combination he has built with Ashton Agar in the T20s can endure through to the World Cup – but he’s never relaxed.

“Even now, I don’t feel comfortable,” he said.

“Which is probably a good thing, to be honest. I haven’t been comfortable since I started playing professional cricket and I hope it’s a good thing and it keeps me driven. I hope for constant improvement.

“As I get older, I get more experienced, I train harder, I think about the game a bit differently and about it more.”

Originally published as Vegan Adam Zampa needs to stock up on supplies before entering meat-loving Free State province