By Huzaifa Yousafzai from the Kia Oval
Australian leg spinner Adam Zampa took 3-11 as his team, the Oval Invincibles cruised to a comfortable victory against Birmingham Phoenix on the opening night of the tournament.
The Phoenix were bowled out for only 89 in the first innings with Zampa dismissing top scorer Rishi Patel before claiming a pair of LBWs to clean up the tail.
When Saqib Mahmood and Mohammad Amir reduced the Phoenix to 10-4, it looked set to be a night dominated by pace bowling, but speaking in a post-match press conference, Zampa insisted that the conditions aided him as well.
“I am really suited to the Oval; I think it’s one of the places that I’ve enjoyed. I know it’s not really a spin friendly kind of place or even bowler friendly sometimes, but the way that I bowl, where I can attack the stumps and gather pace off the wicket means I really enjoy bowling here.”
Zampa then goes on to explains how the Invincibles home ground at the Kia Oval will play a big role as his side aims to win back to back titles and become the men’s tournament’s first two-time champions.
“We played really well here last year; we played really well at most grounds last year. It’s a bit of a fortress as lot of the Surrey guys have some experience here and a great home crowd makes it a great place to play.”
However, with several of his Australian teammates such as Steve Smith and Pat Cummins choosing to play in Major League Cricket, Zampa outlines the reason behind his choice to participate in the Hundred.
“I just prefer this comp, like I’m not trying to overcook the chicken too much. I played a lot of cricket last year and I’ve probably regretted that decision. For me it’s really important to try and play every white ball game for Australia possible and then fit in some franchise cricket in between.”
The Australian, ranked at number seven in the ICC T20I bowler rankings, also attributed his white ball schedule and the environment at the Invincibles as to why he chose to play in the UK this summer.
“I don’t want to play too much, but this one ( the Hundred) is the one that I really wanted to play as it made sense with the (Australian) tour here afterwards against Scotland and England.”
“It makes it easier when you are part of a successful team, I have played four games here (at the Kia Oval) and won all four, so it’s easier to slot in that way when there is not a lot of pressure.”
