A desire to play Test cricket is driving Adam Zampa as he turns his focus to what will be a unique year of cricket.
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An Australian Twenty20 and one-day star, the Warilla product has struggled to break through in the longest format of the game.
Zampa's success in the shorter formats, however, has restricted his opportunities to play Sheffield Shield throughout his time in South Australia.
While it cannot be made official until Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricket Association work through COVID-19-related negotiations, Zampa is expected to return home to NSW for the upcoming summer.
With Australian star Nathan Lyon likely to spend much of the summer playing Test cricket, Zampa will have ample opportunities to showcase his talents across the longer format of the game and push for a Test berth.
"For me, playing Test cricket is still the ultimate goal," Zampa said. "I know over the last few years it's easy for people to pinpoint me as a white-ball bowler.
"I've played most white-ball games for Australia over the last three to four years, so it's really limited my first-class opportunities, so I really want to change people's perceptions.
"I know my first class record doesn't really speak for itself, but I know over the last few years, while I haven't been playing first-class cricket, I've really improved as a bowler, so I'm looking to still get that Baggy Green. That's my ultimate goal."
Spinners have endured a tough time in Shield cricket in recent years, with a number of factors combining to hand the advantage to batsmen and fast bowlers.
Drop-in wickets, Dukes cricket balls and grassy-bouncy pitches have all acted to neutralise the effectiveness of spin bowlers.
Such is the imbalance between quicks and spinners, the top 20 wicket takers in last summer's Sheffield Shield were fast or medium-pace bowlers.
Spin bowlers have struggled at Adelaide Oval in particular, however it is hoped Zampa will benefit from a move to the SCG.
"I think the biggest reason for that would be the drop-in wickets," Zampa said when asked about spin bowlers' Sheffield Shield struggles.
"That has changed the game massively and it's really hard to get a wicket that's a day-four turner with any rough.
"Unfortunately we've seen the games go to Dukes balls as well, which can really suit spin bowlers, but unfortunately the wickets have been on the greener side.
"For spinners to be in the game on day four, it's basically been taken out of the game now. Except maybe the SCG, sometimes, if the weather suits as well.
"We've had to play a different role in first-class cricket, that's for sure, and that's why you see the numbers have changed and I think the biggest reason for that would have to be the drop-in wickets."
While Zampa is determined to shine with the red ball, he remains focused on performing in this year's Twenty20 World Cup, should it go ahead.
With Australia recently rising to the top of the world rankings, the spinner said the side is poised to replicate the women's success.
"It's been an amazing 18 months in particular for the Twenty20 team and we've got a really good balance leading up to this Twenty20 World Cup, so it's been exciting to be a part of that."
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