Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa shared his thoughts on the team’s demanding schedule during the 2025 Champions Trophy. While acknowledging the challenges of frequent changes, the 32-year-old expressed that the team is coping well.
Australia, along with South Africa, had traveled to Dubai in case their semi-final was scheduled there. Their decision proved right as India’s victory over New Zealand on Sunday confirmed a knockout clash against Steve Smith and his squad.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the semi-final against India on Tuesday, Zampa praised the facilities at the ICC Academy in Dubai. As quoted by ‘Perth Now’, he said:
“Obviously, we’ve had a bit of a hectic schedule, playing a couple of games in Pakistan, back and forth, in between cities. But with the nature of this tournament, not knowing where we are for this first semi-final, it’s kind of nice to get here, we’ve got a great facility here. Changes it up a little bit as well. So the boys are feeling OK about it.”
Smith and his team face a tough challenge against India on a worn-out Dubai pitch, especially with the hosts expected to field four spinners once again in the semi-final.
This spin-heavy strategy proved highly effective against New Zealand, with Varun Chakravarthy’s five-wicket haul playing a crucial role in defending a total of 249.
“The real challenge begins now in the semi-finals”- Adam Zampa
Adam Zampa shared that Australia are confident after successfully chasing 352 against England but believes the true challenge starts now, stating:
“Our preparation has been OK. In these tournaments, you don’t play a lot of games anyway, so each game is pretty cut-throat.”
”A massive win against England set us up for the rest of the tournament, and the bowling performance was pretty good against Afghanistan. But the tournament really starts now in the semi-finals, even more cut-throat.”
India and Australia will face each other in the Champions Trophy for the first time since 2009.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.