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In this World Cup, Adam Zampa has dealt with back, neck,
shoulder, glute, and even sickness concerns, but he has overcame them to
resurrect Australia’s campaign. The legspinner picked up another four-wicket
haul against Pakistan in Bengaluru on Friday, helping Australia secure their
second straight victory after taking 4 for 47 against Sri Lanka in Lucknow.
This came after they lost their first two games in the tournament.
Zampa’s most recent performance, which supported his
team’s defence of 367 at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, which frequently intimidates
bowlers with its compact layout and slow-turning surface, impressed Australia
captain Pat Cummins. Mohammad Rizwan, the player who has scored the most runs
in the tournament thus far, and skipper Babar Azam were both crucial targets
for Zampa to take out, ending the chase.
“Yeah, Lazarus [Adam Zampa] has been
awesome,” Cummins told Star Sports at the post-match presentation.
“He’s been in the bed for the last week or two. He was fantastic, and he
just showed his class. He’s a real wicket-taker in the middle. Babar Azam and
Iftikhar [Ahmed] at the end when he was going – two big wickets.”
Marcus Stoinis, Zampa’s close friend and team-mate,
felt that this was Zampa’s best spell in this World Cup. “I’m very happy
for Lazarus (laughs). He’s had a flu, he’s had a sore back, he’s had a bad neck
and he’s had a bad glute,” Stoinis said. “But he’s been bowling
really well. This game was the best he has bowled, I reckon. So, he will rest
up today and come strong tomorrow.”
Zampa – and Australia – will have a four-day break
before they face Netherlands in Delhi.