Chat with Maxwell gets Zampa back on track
GLENN Maxwell’s blossoming leadership helped Adam Zampa rekindle his devastating best when the leg-spinner’s form started to dip just weeks before selectors picked the World Cup squad. While Zampa’s figures masked his lapse during the recent ODI series in India, allrounder Maxwell noticed the attacking tweaker had fallen away since taking 14 wickets under him at the Melbourne Stars. “It was actually Maxi who said, ‘Good on you for getting wickets, but you’re probably not at your best. What have you changed from Big Bash where you were bowling really well?’” Zampa said. “It was just preparation. I was overcomplicating it, and simplifying it is what I’m really focusing on at the moment. “The last time I went to India was actually the start of where it went a little bit downhill. “I wasn’t bowling my best – I didn’t know the best way to prepare or bowl in India.” Zampa took 2-49, 2-62 and 3-70 in India before the talk with Maxwell. He has since recorded figures of 3-46 (against India), 4-43 (Pakistan) and 2-39 (Sri Lanka). Zampa missed the ODI tour of England 12 months ago and was constantly pushed to the fringes under former Australian coach Darren Lehmann. “I was the leading wickettaker in the world in the first year of my career,” Zampa said. “I think as a young guy you probably take it for granted a bit and think the way you’re doing things is the way to go and if you keep doing it this way it’ll turn around. “But I’ve found that’s not the way it works, unfortunately. I was disappointed that I was out of the thinking but it was actually really good for me. “Twelve months ago I was playing for Brentwood Cricket Club against Monty Panesar, club cricket in Essex trying to get myself ready for a T20 gig for Essex, and that was really good for me. You’re the overseas player there, so a lot of expectation, so the pressure.” Zampa took 12 wickets in nine T20s for Essex, playing at some World Cup venues as he climbed back into the frame for Australia. The attacking leggie has been given a licence to ignore his economy and keep looking for wickets. “Zampa definitely has a big role to play trying to take middle-over wickets,” quick Pat Cummins said.