Zampa Steps Aside to Allow Sangha to Play One-Day Cup Final

Adam Zampa has withdrawn from New South Wales’ squad for the One-Day Cup final against Tasmania in Hobart to ensure young legspinner Tanveer Sangha retains his place in the side.

Zampa became available for the match after Australia’s early exit from the T20 World Cup, and the experienced legspinner was keen to play. However, with conditions at Bellerive Oval unlikely to suit two legspinners in the same XI, Zampa chose to step aside rather than displace Sangha, who has been one of the standout performers in the tournament.

Sangha currently leads the wicket charts in the competition with 18 wickets at an average of 18.05 and has played a key role in New South Wales reaching the final. NSW chief performance officer Greg Mail said Zampa was mindful of the younger spinner’s progress and did not want his availability to come at Sangha’s expense.

Mail explained that the team initially considered including both legspinners, but the day-night conditions in Hobart made that combination less suitable. As a result, Zampa agreed to stand down so Sangha could keep his spot in the side.

Stand-in captain Kurtis Patterson praised the decision, calling it a selfless act that highlighted Zampa’s team-first mindset. He added that the team balance might have been different if the match had been scheduled as a day game, where playing two legspinners could have been more feasible.

New South Wales will still field a strong bowling attack, with Sean Abbott and Ben Dwarshuis returning to bolster the pace department. However, regular captain Jack Edwards remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Tasmania, who earned hosting rights after winning their first five matches of the tournament, will rely on bowlers Nathan Ellis and Matt Kuhnemann, while Matthew Wade is also available. Tasmania are chasing their first One-Day Cup title since the 2009–10 season.

The final, played for the Dean Jones Trophy, may also be affected by rain. If the match is washed out, Tasmania will be awarded the title as the higher-ranked team on the ladder.

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