Melbourne [Australia], Jan. 22 : Australian leg spinner Adam Zampa has taken a veiled swipe at national selectors for not selecting him for the upcoming four-match Test series in India, saying his "defensive bowling style" and his experience of playing in the sub-continent could have helped his team.
The squad to be led by Steve Smith includes six batsman, four spin bowlers, three pace bowlers, two all-rounders and a wicketkeeper.
Uncapped leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson was named in the team to boost the spin contingent, which also includes Nathan Lyon and left-arm orthodox Ashton Agar and Steve O'Keefe.
However, Zampa was a surprise omission from the 16-man Test. "Obviously from the press conference with Trevor Hohns, they've gone for a more attacking option," news.com.au quoted Zampa as saying.
"It's disappointing just being seen as just a defensive option. I thought the defensive bowling style usually works in those conditions and my experience over there could've helped.
"But it's nice to have that healthy competition now. Mitchell Swepson's a very good bowler. I've watched him throughout the BBL," he added. Swepson has just 14 first-class games to his name, taking 41 wickets at an average of 33, whereas, Zampa has 62 scalps at 50 from 25 matches.
The 24-year-old has taken 18 wickets in 11 limited-overs matches on the subcontinent for Australia. Australia, which sit at the second spot in the ICC Test Rankings following a 3-0 whitewash in their home series against Pakistan, will face a herculean task against the Virat Kohli-led side.
Australia have not won a Test in India since 2004 and their last series victory in Asia came against Sri Lanka in 2011.
They have since suffered nine straight Test losses in the subcontinent..
Source: ANI
