"Got a rude shock" - Adam Zampa recalls his swimming pool accident ahead of Australia's 2023 World Cup opener
Australia's lead spinner Adam Zampa has opened up on the swimming pool accident he sustained before the 2023 World Cup game against India. The 31-year-old suggested that he was so upset by the incident that he didn't speak to anyone the next day.
With Zampa swimming underwater with his eyes closed, he hit his head on a pool wall, leaving him bleeding. During a press conference, Australian captain Pat Cummins underlined that Zampa has a scar but is good to play.
Speaking to The Unplayable Podcast, the New South Wales-born cricketer recalled how there was blood everywhere due to the accident.
"I got a rude shock and I was actually worried I was missing some teeth but luckily I wasn't. Just claret (blood) everywhere. I didn't say anything to anyone the next day, just thought I could potentially get away with it. But I had a big scar there."
The wrist-spinner wasn't in the best nick against India in Chennai, bowling eight wicketless overs for 53 runs. The tourists eventually lost by six wickets after managing only 199 with the bat. However, he has bounced back with eight wickets in the two matches against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
"It's fine mate" - Adam Zampa on his reaction to being Australia's sole frontline spinner
Zampa also recalled when head coach Andrew McDonald told him about Ashton Agar's absence at the 2023 World Cup. He elaborated:
"Before the World Cup, Ronnie (McDonald) was telling me, 'We've been dealt a hand here, Ash is probably not going to be part of the World Cup, you're going to be the main spinner with Maxi.' I'm like, 'It's fine mate, I won't miss a game, when have I ever missed a game for Australia?'"
The five-time champions won two games after losing as many consecutively, taking them to the top 4 in the points table. They will next face the Netherlands in Delhi on Wednesday, October 25.