Australia’s upcoming Test tour of Sri Lanka is the perfect opportunity for selectors to try something different and right at the top of that list should be Adam Zampa.
After the 3-1 series victory against India booked them a spot in the World Test Championship final this year, the two-game series beginning later this month is just a formality for the all-conquering Aussie team.
Pat Cummins has already revealed he’s unlikely to play a role due to the impending birth of his second child, which should open the door for another seamer in the touring group.
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Jhye Richardson, Lance Morris, Michael Neser and Sean Abbott are all in the mix to make the trip over, while Josh Hazlewood could also return from a calf injury.
But given the nature of subcontinent pitches, Australia will also want to take another spinner with them to partner veteran Nathan Lyon.
George Bailey and the selection panel aren’t without options to fill that role as players like Todd Murphy, Corey Rocchiccioli and Matt Kuhnemann continue to grind away on the domestic scene.
Murphy and Kuhnemann have already had a taste of Test cricket during overseas tours and the former has been more than solid when called upon, taking 21 wickets in six matches.
The issue lies with how similar Murphy is to Lyon, which could prompt Bailey and company to look towards a bowler who can turn the ball away from right-handers.
And that’s exactly where Zampa should enter the fold.
While the 32-year-old doesn’t have the prettiest first-class record – an average of 46.56 with the red ball – his time playing in the Sheffield Shield competition has been sporadic due to short form commitments.
However, over the past half a decade Zampa has cemented himself not only as the best white-ball spinner in the country, but one of the best bowlers in world cricket.
If there was ever a stage for selectors to throw Zampa a bone and take a chance despite an average Shield record, this is certainly it.
While it wouldn’t be a long-term plan, with Murphy the most likely successor to Lyon as the first-choice Test spinner, Zampa’s desire to play in the red-ball format and the potential to reward him for outstanding international performances shouldn’t be ignored.
Zampa’s popularity among the group should also hold him in good stead and if selected, he would bring even more big-game experience to the side with Cummins out of action.
“I think, realistically, still a chance to play Test cricket,” he told the Final Word podcast last August.
“If I was playing a lot of Shield cricket right now with the way I’m bowling, the bowler I am, think I’d be fine, I’d be doing really well.
“The few games I have played in the last couple of years are suggestive of that.”
Kuhnemann remains the safe option for the Aussies with his left-arm orthodox bowling and prior experience at Test level, while young all-rounder Cooper Connolly could also be a smokey to travel with the group after getting a taste of international cricket.
Rocchiccioli – who is another right arm off-spinner – averages 31.81 with the red rock and has been making some waves playing for Western Australia.
From a batting perspective, Glenn Maxwell has also been touted as a potential inclusion due to his ability to play spin and off-spin bowling, but at 36 years of age and minimal first-class cricket behind him, there’s doubts over the value of his selection.
Peter Handscomb is rumoured to be in the conversation, while it’s almost a certainty that Beau Webster will remain in the squad after a stellar debut in the baggy green.
Veteran opener Usman Khawaja has opted to continue his Test career and will be one of the first names on the team sheet due to his strong subcontinent record.
The squad is expected to be named this week, with the series opener against Sri Lanka beginning on January 29.
Australia’s potential Test squad vs Sri Lanka
Steve Smith (c), Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Jhye Richardson, Adam Zampa, Matt Kuhnemann, Peter Handscomb, Nathan Lyon, Josh Inglis, Sean Abbott