As Australia prepares to kick off their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign against England, leg-spinner Adam Zampa has thrown his support behind the squad’s less experienced players, insisting they have what it takes to become match-winners on the big stage.
Australia’s squad for the tournament has been significantly weakened due to the absence of their frontline pace attack—Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins—who were all ruled out due to injuries. As a result, the team is relying on a younger and less experienced bowling lineup, including Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, and Spencer Johnson. While many experts have raised concerns about this lack of experience, Zampa believes these players could be the X-factor in Australia’s campaign.
Backing the Young Guns
Speaking to reporters ahead of Australia’s opening match against England at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, Zampa expressed confidence in the squad’s rising talents.
“It’s a massive opportunity for these guys,” Zampa said. “Yes, we’re missing some of the biggest names in world cricket, but that doesn’t mean we can’t compete at the highest level. Sometimes, in a tournament like this, it’s the players who are least expected to shine that step up and become match-winners.”
The 32-year-old leg-spinner, who has been a key figure in Australia’s white-ball setup in recent years, added that he was particularly impressed by the attitude and hunger shown by the new bowlers.
“They’re all hungry to prove themselves. They’ve been bowling really well in the nets, and they have the skill to trouble any batting lineup. In pressure situations, sometimes a fresh mindset can be an advantage rather than a disadvantage,” he noted.
Overcoming Australia’s Champions Trophy Struggles
Australia heads into the tournament looking to end a 15-year winless streak in the Champions Trophy. Despite winning the tournament back-to-back in 2006 and 2009, the Aussies have not won a single match in the competition since. Their last two appearances, in 2013 and 2017, ended in group-stage exits, with England playing a key role in their eliminations on both occasions.
Zampa acknowledged this history but emphasized that the current squad is determined to turn things around.
“We’ve spoken about it as a group. There’s no denying our Champions Trophy record hasn’t been great in recent years, but history doesn’t define us. This is a new squad, and we’re looking at this as a fresh challenge,” he said.
The Battle Against England
Australia’s opening match against England is expected to be a high-intensity encounter, with their arch-rivals also facing questions over their squad composition. England has opted for an aggressive batting approach, promoting young wicketkeeper-batsman Jamie Smith to No. 3, while relying on part-time bowlers like Joe Root and Liam Livingstone to complete their bowling attack.
Zampa believes Australia’s mix of youth and experience could give them an edge.
With the highly anticipated Australia-England clash just around the corner, all eyes will be on the rising stars looking to prove their worth on cricket’s grand stage