Cricket

Pakistan's Rizwan and Australia's Zampa Engage in Humorous Banter During Adelaide ODIThe second One-Day International (ODI) between Pakistan and Australia in Adelaide on Friday featured a lighthearted exchange between visiting skipper Mohammad Rizwan and Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa. The banter, captured on the stump microphone, quickly went viral on social media.Australia's innings took a dramatic turn when Haris Rauf's fiery spell of 5 for 29 reduced the hosts to a mere 163 all out in 35 overs. Amidst the intense action, a moment of levity occurred in the 34th over bowled by Naseem Shah.As Zampa attempted a pull shot, Shah's bouncer sailed past his bat. Rizwan, behind the stumps, appealed for an edge, but the umpire ruled it a wide for height."You heard something?" Rizwan inquired of Zampa."You are appealing for everything?" Zampa retorted.Undeterred, Rizwan playfully asked, "Should I take the review?"To Rizwan's surprise, Zampa replied, "Yes, you should."Heeding Zampa's advice, Rizwan signaled for the review. However, replays showed that the ball had not touched Zampa's bat before entering Rizwan's gloves.The exchange drew laughter from both players and the commentators. It highlighted the camaraderie and sportsmanship that can exist even in the midst of intense competition.

Australian spinner Adam Zampa has etched his name in the history books by surpassing former paceman Nathan Bracken to become the eighth-highest wicket-taker for Australia in One-Day Internationals (ODIs). Zampa achieved this milestone during the fourth ODI against England at Lord's on Saturday.Despite Australia's disappointing performance in the match, Zampa emerged as a beacon of hope for the bowling attack. He claimed two crucial wickets for 66 runs in eight overs, including the dismissals of half-centurions Ben Duckett and Harry Brook.Since his ODI debut in 2016, Zampa has amassed an impressive tally of 175 wickets in 102 matches. His average of 27.99 and best figures of 5/35 highlight his consistency and ability to strike at crucial moments. He has also registered 11 four-wicket hauls and a five-wicket haul in ODIs.Bracken, a prominent Australian pacer from 2001-09, once ranked number one in the 50-over format. He took 174 wickets in 116 ODIs at an average of 24.36, with best figures of 5/47. Bracken's five 4-wicket hauls and two five-wicket hauls in ODIs further demonstrate his prowess as a wicket-taker.Pace legends Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee remain the joint-highest wicket-takers in ODIs for Australia, with 380 wickets each.In the fourth ODI, England posted a formidable total of 312/5 in their 39 overs. Liam Livingstone's blistering 62* off 27 balls, including seven sixes, provided the finishing touches. Zampa was the pick of the Australian bowlers, while Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, and Josh Hazlewood also claimed wickets.Australia's chase faltered as they were skittled out for 126 in 24.4 overs. Matthew Potts and Brydon Carse wreaked havoc with the ball, taking four and three wickets respectively. England leveled the five-match series 2-2 with a convincing 186-run victory.Harry Brook's outstanding performance earned him the 'Player of the Match' award.

Australian captain Mitchell Marsh has hailed leg-spinner Adam Zampa as he prepares to reach a significant milestone in his career. Zampa is set to play his 100th One Day International (ODI) against England on Thursday, a testament to his remarkable journey and impact on the Australian team.Marsh, speaking at a pre-match press conference, lauded Zampa's growth both as a cricketer and as a person. "Zamps has certainly had his ups and downs, but the way he's gone about it over the last four or five years is commendable," Marsh said. "He's tracking towards being one of our greatest ever ODI players."Zampa's importance to the team cannot be overstated, according to Marsh. "He's one of our go-to men with the ball over a 50-over period," Marsh emphasized. "He thrives off the bigger moments, which is what all great players do."Zampa's ability to perform under pressure has been a key factor in his success. He has taken 169 wickets in 99 matches, with his best figures of 5/35 against New Zealand in 2022. His impressive performances have also earned him a high ranking in the T20I bowlers' rankings, where he is just one rating point behind Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga in fifth place.Despite the ongoing debate about the future of the ODI format, Zampa remains committed to playing for Australia. "Every young guy coming through still thinks that's the be-all and end-all," Zampa said. "There are obviously those other opportunities in terms of franchise cricket, but all these different competitions give other guys opportunities."As Zampa prepares to reach his 100th ODI, he is poised to continue making a significant contribution to Australian cricket. His skill, determination, and ability to perform under pressure make him a valuable asset to the team and a role model for aspiring young cricketers.

Adam Zampa, Australia's premier white-ball spinner, has expressed his belief in the enduring significance of the ODI format despite the proliferation of franchise cricket and a congested international calendar. As he prepares to play his 100th ODI against England, Zampa emphasized that representing his country remains his paramount priority.Zampa's unwavering commitment to international cricket stems from the unparalleled emotions and achievements it offers. He believes that winning World Cups for Australia surpasses the triumphs of franchise cricket. This sentiment is echoed by a recent survey conducted by the World Cricketers Association, which revealed that 50% of players still view the ODI World Cup as the most prestigious title, with the T20 World Cup trailing at 35%.While acknowledging the opportunities provided by franchise cricket, Zampa maintains that playing for one's country remains the ultimate aspiration for young players. He believes that the ODI format continues to offer a valuable platform for aspiring cricketers to showcase their skills and represent their nation.Zampa's own success in both the T20 and ODI World Cups underscores his exceptional talent. He was Australia's leading wicket-taker in both the 2021 T20 World Cup and the 2023 ODI World Cup. Despite Australia's recent setbacks in the T20 World Cups, Zampa remains optimistic about their chances in the 2026 edition.As Zampa prepares for his 100th ODI, he will be accompanied by his wife, Harriet, and their baby boy. This milestone holds immense significance for him, as he never anticipated playing so many matches for Australia.

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has highlighted the importance of Adam Zampa's leg-spin to Australia's success, emphasizing that when Zampa is neutralized, the team struggles to win. This was evident in England's three-wicket victory in the second T20I at Cardiff, where Zampa's figures of 0-37 from four overs proved ineffective.Ponting pointed out that Zampa's performance in victories stands in stark contrast to his performance in defeats. In wins, he boasts an impressive average of 15.20 and an economy rate of 6.38, while in defeats, his average jumps to 40.07 and his economy rate to 8.49.England's strategy in the second T20I was clear: target Zampa's weaknesses. They identified that he is more vulnerable to left-handed batters, and Liam Livingstone and Phil Salt adopted a cautious approach against him, rotating the strike rather than attacking him aggressively.However, it was Jacob Bethell's audacious performance that truly turned the tide. The 20-year-old hit Zampa for 26 runs off just 11 balls, including a remarkable 100m six over long-on. Bethell's aggressive approach and willingness to use his feet forced Zampa to vary his lengths, creating scoring opportunities.Ponting also criticized Australian batters Jake Fraser-McGurk and Marcus Stoinis for their ineffective approach against England's spinners, particularly Livingstone. Their tendency to step away from their bodies and mishit shots towards long-on left them vulnerable.In conclusion, Zampa's struggles in the second T20I highlighted his importance to Australia's success. England's strategy of targeting his weaknesses proved effective, and Bethell's aggressive approach further exposed his vulnerabilities. Australia will need to find a way to protect Zampa and neutralize England's spinners if they want to regain the lead in the series.

Oval Invincibles secured their place in the knockout rounds of The Hundred with a dominant nine-wicket victory over London Spirit at The Kia Oval. Jordan Cox, who was recently selected for the England Men's Test team, played a pivotal role in the win, smashing an unbeaten 61 off just 30 balls.The Spirit, who were already eliminated from contention, struggled to post a competitive total, managing only 96 runs in their first innings. Michael Pepper provided a bright start with a quickfire 27, but his dismissal triggered a collapse that saw Spirit lose five wickets for just 52 runs.Adam Zampa, who has been in impressive form throughout the tournament, continued his fine run with figures of 4 for 17. Ollie Stone, another England Men's squad member, also bowled well, conceding just 16 runs from his four overs.Invincibles' chase was never in doubt, with Cox leading the charge from the outset. The 21-year-old opener struck seven fours and two sixes, including the winning blow that sealed the victory with 37 balls to spare.The win means Sam Billings' side, who have won six of their seven games, are guaranteed a place in the top three of the men's competition. Their final game against Trent Rockets will determine whether they will advance directly to The Hundred Final on August 18 or play in The Hundred Eliminator the day before.

Adam Zampa, Australia's premier white-ball spinner, remains optimistic about his chances of donning the baggy green despite a limited first-class cricket presence in recent years. Zampa's aspirations were dashed last year when he was overlooked for the Test tour of India in favor of Mitchell Swepson.Despite playing only two first-class matches since 2019, Zampa believes his current form would translate well to the Test arena. "If I was playing a lot of Shield cricket right now, I think I'd be doing really well," he asserted. "The few games I have played in the last couple of years are suggestive of that."While Australia typically fields only one spinner in home Tests, the upcoming two-Test series in Sri Lanka presents an opportunity for Zampa to showcase his skills alongside Nathan Lyon. The summer schedule also offers a potential window for Sheffield Shield appearances.However, Zampa acknowledges that first-class performances are not the sole determinant for Test selection. He is confident in his ability to adapt to the subcontinent conditions, even if his first-class average of 46.98 raises concerns. "If I do get picked, I'll know that the way I feel like I'm bowling, it'll be fine," he stated.Zampa's international future may or may not include Test cricket, but he has made it clear that representing Australia remains his top priority. He has withdrawn from lucrative franchise tournaments to focus on national duty, signing a two-year central contract with Cricket Australia.Currently playing for Oval Invincibles in the Hundred, Zampa is the tournament's joint-leading wicket-taker. He acknowledges the tournament's compatibility with his lifestyle and the upcoming Australia tour of the UK. However, he emphasizes his desire to limit extended periods away from home outside of international commitments.Zampa, who has over 100 T20I wickets to his name, will next represent Australia in a series of T20Is against Scotland and England, followed by ODIs against England.

Australia's dominance in the Twenty20 World Cup continued as they cruised into the Super Eights stage with a resounding nine-wicket victory over Namibia in Antigua. Leg-spinner Adam Zampa was the star of the show, claiming four wickets for just 12 runs in his four overs, the lowest total Australia has ever restricted an opponent to in T20 international cricket.Zampa's mesmerizing spell, which included the dismissal of Namibia's top-scorer Gerhard Erasmus, saw the Namibian batting lineup skittled out for a paltry 72 runs in 17 overs. The Australian bowlers were relentless, with Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Marcus Stoinis all chipping in with wickets.In response, Australia's openers David Warner and Travis Head made light work of the Namibian bowling attack. Warner smashed a quickfire 20 off just eight deliveries before Head took over, smashing an unbeaten 34 from 17 balls to guide Australia to victory within six overs.Zampa's performance was particularly impressive, as he became the first Australian male cricketer to reach the milestone of 100 wickets in the shortest format of international cricket. His final scalp, a classic dismissal that saw him clean bowl Bernard Scholtz through the gate, etched his name in the record books."Just trying to do my thing, mate," remarked a modest Zampa, who was deservedly awarded the Player of the Match accolade. "We're happy, it's the first step in trying to take the trophy home but a long way to go."Australia will conclude their Group B fixture against Scotland in St Lucia on Saturday, while Namibia will remain in Antigua to lock horns with England on the same day.

Australia's dominant performance in Barbados has left defending champions England facing an uphill battle to qualify for the Super 8s of the T20 World Cup. The Aussies posted a formidable 201 for 7, the highest score of the tournament so far, thanks to a blistering start from David Warner and Travis Head.Warner, who is likely playing against England for the last time in international cricket, top-scored with 39, while Head contributed 34. Mitchell Marsh (35) and Marcus Stoinis (30) also made valuable contributions.England's chase got off to a promising start, with Jos Buttler and Phil Salt putting on 73 runs for the first wicket. However, Adam Zampa's introduction turned the game on its head. The leg-spinner dismissed both openers within his first 11 balls, and England's middle order failed to adjust to the dry pitch, managing only 92 runs in the following 13 overs.The dimensions of Kensington Oval played a significant role in Australia's innings. One square boundary was nine meters shorter than the other, and the Aussies exploited it ruthlessly. Will Jacks conceded three sixes in his first four balls, all over the shorter leg-side boundary.England's defeat leaves them with one point from their first two matches. They face an anxious week ahead, needing to beat both Oman and Namibia to have a chance of qualifying for the second round. Even then, they may have to rely on net run rate to progress ahead of Scotland.