Australian spinner Zampa not happy with comparisons to Warne

Melbourne, May 30 (IANS) Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa is somewhat miffed at being constantly compared to the legendary Shane Warne, insisting that the approach to the crease is where the similarity between them ends.

In recent games, broadcasters have used split-screen technology to highlight the similarity between the pair and even Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has compared the youngster to Warne.

"Most people who say that probably just see my smooth run-up and don't actually see the ball come out of my hand. There's only one Shane Warne and there's probably only ever going to one guy like him who can bowl as many strong leg breaks all day for five days straight. It's pretty unheard of," Zampa was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au on Monday.

"He was so big and so strong and his leg spinner was just unbelievable. It's something to strive towards, but I'm a long way off that. My run up is similar but that's about it," he said.

The 24-year-old has impressed in the few international opportunities he has had so far and is looking forward to bowling against the West Indies and South Africa in the upcoming triangular series starting this Friday.

He was also impressive in the limited opportunities he got in the Indian Premier League where he represented Rising Pune Supergiants.

In his One-Day International (ODI) debut series in New Zealand in February, Zampa took 2-57 and 1-45 then picked five wickets in three matches at an economy rate of just 6.27 during the ICC World T20 in India.

"The conditions (in the Caribbean) are going to suit me from what the boys have told me," he said.

"I've only played the two ODIs and I think I did pretty well at the Twenty20 World Cup so moving forward hopefully I can continue to do well.

"I think there's something like 20 ODIs in the next 12 months so if I do well and cement that spot, it's going to be a pretty exciting 12 months for me," Zampa said.

--IANS

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