AFTER three years looked upon as a possible new top leg spinner, Sutherland’s Adam Zampa has finally made it.
The small-framed 20-year-old has won selection into his first Sheffield Shield side for NSW’s game against Queensland, starting today at Manuka Oval, Canberra.
In the process, Zampa has moved Steve Smith aside in the leg spin pecking order, with Smith now more dynamic with his right-handed batting.
Zampa, whose father Darren played for NSW Country, has impressed selectors consistently since first getting a start with the NSW Second XI team, three seasons ago.
He was at it again on Sunday in Sutherland’s last-over win over Sydney University in the quarter final of the Twenty/20 series at Glenn McGrath Oval, picking up two crucial wickets to slow the opposition batting.
Zampa grew up in Wollongong and played with Sutherland and NSW team-mate, Nic Maddinson, at the same club, Warilla.
He had one season in grade with Easts before joining Sutherland.
He was chosen in Australia’s squad for the under-19 World Cup in 2010 and took four wickets in two games of the winning campaign, and picked up a rookie contract with NSW for 2010-11.
This year, his leg spin has blossomed, taking two five-wicket hauls for representative teams, as well as 15 wickets for Sutherland (including 3-44 in their win over Hawkesbury last weekend).
‘‘I suppose I enjoyed watching Shane Warne when I was young,’’ he said when asked why he chose leg spin.
‘‘But I haven’t really modelled my bowling on anyone.
‘‘[Coach]David Freedman has been a big help coming through the state teams.
‘‘I’ve managed to grab about 20 wickets. The difference this year is I’ve learnt to be a lot more patient. And my bowling has been a bit more consistent, too.’’
Zampa’s batting has proved invaluable, too, with several good scores in grade and state level.
‘‘I guess unless you are a Warne, you have to have some batting skills as a leg spinner these days,’’ he said. He has played 21 matches in Futures League over the past four seasons and taken 35 wickets at 30.4 and scored 473 runs at 27.8.
■ Another dynamic batting performance from NSW all rounder, Steve Smith, helped pilot Sutherland to a last-over victory over Sydney University in Sunday’s Twenty/20 quarter final at Glenn McGrath Oval on Sunday.
A good crowd watched Sydney University make a healthy 6-142, with pace bowler Nathan Fitzgerald taking 3-29 off his four overs and Adam Zampa, 2-24.
But with the home side batting boosted by state players Smith and Nic Maddinson, the target was always achievable. It turned out that way, with Smith belting 55 off 44 balls and Maddinson not out 49 at the finish, with opener Steve Cush also contributing 27 quickly.
The win followed Sutherland’s first innings win over Hawkesbury on Saturday. There, Maddinson top scored (55) and Mitch Brown (52), Luke Dudman (43) and Adam Zampa (23 not out) also ensured they pass Hawkesbury’s 250, with three wickets remaining