Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting believes Adam Zampa’s spin helped England to score against him in the 2nd T20I played at Cardiff.
The visitors secured a win in the second match of the Australia tour of England 2024 and leveled the series 1-1. Liam Livingstone had an impressive run in the match contributing with bat and ball smashing 87 runs and picking two wickets.
He stitched a 90-run partnership with Jacob Bethell proved to be instrumental in chasing down the target of 194.
Zampa was leading the bowling attack in the absence of Key bowlers such as Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc but struggled to control the game.
He pointed out that Australia had a hard time when Zampa was neutralized by opposition batters. He compared the statistics which revealed Zampa’s performance in wins and losses.
He picked 83 wickets at an impressive average of 15.20 with an economy rate of 6.38 in victories, while his figures in defeats dropped to 27 wickets at a much higher average of 40.07 with an economy of 8.49.
“If teams do get the better of Adam Zampa, Australia finds it hard to win,” told Ponting. “He’s the key for them through those middle overs, making the breakthroughs and breaking partnerships. That didn’t happen tonight.”
Ponting also criticized Australian batters Jake Fraser-McGurk and Marcus Stoinis, who were dismissed by Liam Livingstone for their cheap shots against England spinners.
“England were willing to use their feet against the Australian spin,” Ponting continued.“I don’t remember too many times tonight that the Australians left their crease at all.
“(England) knew where the straight boundaries were, they knew how they needed to play Adam Zampa. If you can find a way to get on top of a world-class spinner like Zampa, he’s the one that’s under pressure next game.”
The third and final test between England and Australia gets underway at Manchester’s Old Trafford on Sunday at Old Trafford Cricket Ground.
