BIG SHOW HELPS ZAMPA

ADAM Zampa was a nervous wreck on returning to international cricket last November.

He was deeply uncertain about his place in the team, stewing about World Cup selection and sending down far too many half-trackers to South Africa’s batsmen at Adelaide Oval.

Now, the legspinner’s trademark control and confidence have returned to the point he is on track to be Australia’s frontline spinner in their World Cup defence.

The transformation has taken place in both international and BBL games, during which Glenn Maxwell has been a constant support.

Zampa has vivid memories of Australia’s seven-run win over the Proteas last November – and not just because it snapped the nation’s worst losing streak in ODIs.

“My first three overs were my worst three overs I’ve ever bowled,” Zampa recalled.

“I was just so nervous. It was my first game back.

Maxwell, who captained Zampa at the Melbourne Stars this season, helped him regain composure with a pep talk and the tweaker held his own while delivering four of the game’s final eight overs.

“He said, ‘This is why I love having you at the Melbourne Stars. This is why we love having you in the team. These are the situations you love bowling in, the pressure situations’,” Zampa said.

Coach Justin Langer and captain Aaron Finch have also helped push, while Zampa nominated personal mentor Trent Woodhill as a key redemptive figure.

The current tour of India, during which Zampa has excelled in the first two Twenty20s and opening ODI while twice capturing the prized scalp of Virat Kohli, shapes as his World Cup launching pad.

“It definitely took a little while (to rebuild confidence and form),” he said.