Adam Zampa is keen on new heroes emerging from the Australian setup at the Champions Trophy to cover for what he termed a “big loss” of the team’s champion pace trio.
Zampa is left as the last experienced bowler standing in a seriously depleted squad for the ODI tournament in Pakistan and the UAE, with captain Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood injured and Mitchell Starc unavailable for personal reasons.
It has probably been a massive adjustment for Zampa, who cannot recall the last time the world champions have gone into a major ICC tournament without at least one of the three quicks steaming in.
“In most ICC events that we have played in the last almost decade, it has been a very similar bowling attack,” the 32-year-old leg spinner said.
“Something we missed having the guys was a big loss, we know that. However, it’s a great opportunity whereby if we do our roles and contribute, hopefully, that will be important throughout, and somewhere along the line, a match-winner pulls it off for us.”
The pace attack of Australia will include Sean Abbott, while newcomers Ben Dwarshuis, Spencer Johnson, and Nathan Ellis are expected to come in. All-rounder Aaron Hardie could also make his contribution with the seam bowling.
Zampa welcomed the entry of Australia against former ODI world champions and Ashes rivals England in Lahore on Saturday.
“Nice to get them first up. It’s always nice to beat England, one of those teams that you get up a little bit more for,” Zampa was quoted as saying.
