David Hussey explains BGT refusal has brought curtains down on Zampa’s Test career
Former Australia all-rounder David Hussey has said that Adam Zampa’s exclusion from Australia’s Test squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series in India has put curtains on the latter’s chances of making a career in the longest format of the game. White-ball specialist Hussey was upset at Zampa’s exclusion despite being guaranteed a Test spot for the tour of India.
Adam Zampa has been dropped from the list of top four spinners in Australia’s Test squad owing to injury. The spinner, who has had a formidable reputation in limited-overs cricket in recent years, questioned his place in the longest format of the game in an emotional interview on Friday, 13 January.
During a recent chat with SEN Radio, David Hussey said, “He (Zampa) played a red-ball Shield game for New South Wales against Victoria at Junction Oval just before the start of the Big Bash and he particularly Bowled well. I think (head coach Andrew) McDonald and (chairman of selectors) George Bailey had all the reports that he (Zampa) was going to India.
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He further added, “Unfortunately for Adam (Jumpa) he didn’t get the nod, but personally I think he will do an excellent job. Not too dissimilar to Anil Kumble, who has been a good bowler for India for many years.” Purely a sub-continental pick, I think he would have done a very good job. But his rebuke seems to suggest that his Test aspirations may have sidelined him.
Adam Zampa recently indicated that he had learned that he could be included in the Test tour of India.
Elaborating on this during a chat with cricket.com.au, Adam Zampa said, “The way I’m going especially in international cricket, I thought this was my opportunity (to play Test cricket) was about to happen , And that’s the message I got six weeks ago that this was going to be a great opportunity, I potentially could be on it, but now I’m not, I’m very flat about it and it’s just a matter of moving on. It’s time.”
The selectors have picked Nathan Lyon, Ashton Agar, Todd Murphy and Mitch Swepson in the spin department in the 18-man squad.
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Elaborating on the same, David Hussey said, “I’m a bit biased… but the skill there, he (Zampa) bowls fast, he bowls with good overspin, he can turn it both ways.” And he really attacks the stumps.” The batsman is playing and bringing the close fielders into play every time he bowls the ball. I thought if he had got the clearance and got the chance to play Test cricket in India, I don’t think he would have embarrassed himself, I think he would have done exceptionally well.
