Cricket World Cup 2023: Australia's Adam Zampa fit to play India despite swimming pool accident
- Published
Adam Zampa has taken 142 wickets in 85 one-day internationals for Australia
ICC Men's Cricket World Cup |
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Hosts: India Dates: 5 October-19 November |
Coverage: Ball-by-ball commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds. The BBC Sport website and app will also host commentary, live text updates and in-play video clips (UK only).More details. |
Leg-spinner Adam Zampa is fit to play in Australia's World Cup opener against hosts India despite sustaining a facial injury in a swimming pool.
The 31-year-old was seen with cuts to his face during training before Sunday's game in Chennai.
"He swam into the pool wall," said Australia captain Pat Cummins.
"He said he had his eyes closed and thought he was swimming in a straight line and swam into the step in the pool. He's all good, just a bit sore."
It is the latest mishap involving the Australian team and a swimming pool. Last year, wicketkeeper Alex Carey was filmed falling into a pool in a Karachi hotel.
For Australia, being asked to start against the hosts and favourites is probably the most difficult way to begin their quest to win the World Cup for a record-extending sixth time.
"The home crowd's going to be noisy and very one-sided, which is nothing new, and it's great," said fast bowler Cummins.
"It's always tough playing against someone on their home ground, but with that also comes pressure. There are a billion fans that are going to be watching closely, cheering them on."
Australia had lost five consecutive one-day internationals, three to South Africa and two to India, before ending their losing streak in the final match of their series against India last month.
"What better way to start than India? In the home conditions you'd imagine, they're probably tournament favourites," said 30-year-old Cummins, who is set to lead his side at a World Cup for the first time.
"If we win, that's awesome. If not, we know where we stand and maybe we need to change a few things. It should be a cracker."
India are looking to end a 12-year wait for a world title in any format that stretches back to their 50-over World Cup win on home soil in 2011.
Two members of their squad survive from that tournament: batter Virat Kohli and off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.
At the time, current captain Rohit Sharma tweeted his disappointment of being left out of the squad.
On Saturday, opener Rohit talked of "unfinished business" when it comes to winning a World Cup.
"It's the biggest prize that you can have in your career," said the 36-year-old. "But, there's a way to do it. There's a procedure that you need to follow. There's a process to it.
"It's good to be desperate. It's good to be hungry. But you've got to find that balance, right? Balance to stay desperate and stay hungry for scoring runs, lifting the trophy, winning games, whatever that is. But there is a balance that you need to find.
"We need that luck, a little bit of luck in the tournament. I hope we get that luck. But, it will be nice to win a World Cup."
India could be without opener Shubman Gill, whose ODI average of 66.10 is the second-highest of all-time.
Shubman, 24, has been dealing with illness, with some reports saying he has contracted dengue fever.
"Gill is not feeling well," said Rohit. "We are monitoring him on a daily basis. We're going to give him every chance to recover and see how he feels. He's not ruled out yet.
"I feel for him. I want him to get well, not the captain thinking, 'I want Gill to play.' He's a young guy, he's got a fit body so he'll recover quick."