 "India vs Australia semi-final: Adam Zampa says he can be the match-winner for Aussies in Dubai")
With the pitches in Dubai proving helpful for spinners, Team India, it is felt, will have an advantage over Australia in their upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final . India played four spinners against New Zealand in their Group A match at the venue and won by 44 runs. The spinners took nine out of 10 wickets, including a five-for for Varun Chakravarthy.
Champions Trophy 2025: News | Schedule | Results | Points Table
India are playing all their matches in spin-friendly Dubai after refusing to visit Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025 due to security issues.
Zampa: ‘Have the ability to do a job for the team’
Australia, who finished second in Group B and now face the table topper from Group A, have only one specialist spinner in Adam Zampa, who is now seen as the key to the Aussies’ success in the semi-finals.
“Personally, I don’t think I’m bowling quite at my best but I like to think the beauty about me, when I’m not quite at my best and not feeling that great out there, is my ability to still contribute and take those big wickets,” Zampa said.
“So, yeah, (I am) obviously working on some stuff at the moment to hopefully get back to my best.
“But as I said, the ability to still do a job for the team and get those big wickets is still there, which to me is really important.”
Australia suffering from hectic schedule
The Australia squad flew from Lahore to Dubai on Saturday despite knowing they might need to fly back to Pakistan for the second semi-final, depending on the result of the India-New Zealand group match.
India duly beat New Zealand by 44 runs on Sunday to ensure Australia’s early trip to Dubai was worth it.
South Africa, however, were forced to travel back to Pakistan for the second semi-final against New Zealand in Lahore on Wednesday.
The International Cricket Council has come under fire over the scheduling but Zampa was not complaining.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts“Obviously we had a bit of a hectic schedule playing a couple of games in Pakistan, back and forth in between cities,” he said.
“It’s kind of nice to get here. We’ve got a great facility here at the ICC Academy, changes it up a little bit as well, so yeah, the boys are feeling OK about it.”
Australia have moved to cover for the injured Matt Short, with all-rounder Cooper Connolly approved as a replacement in the squad, organisers said.
Short was ruled out due to a left quadriceps injury.
Left-arm spinner Connolly will help cover the loss of Short’s off-spin if the 21-year-old is selected against India.
With agency inputs
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