Last Updated on 4 months by Charbel Coorey
Graeme Smith has pinpointed Adam Zampa as the key man in Australia’s 2024 T20 World Cup push. In an interview with Betway, the former South African captain believes Australia look like the favourites as the Super Eights stage has got underway.
“The other team that’s really looking like they’re on top of their game is Australia,” Smith said.
“We know they come together and play so well in these world events, and they’ve got a lot of players in form with both bat and ball.”
Graeme Smith believes Adam Zampa can lead Australia to the title
Legspinner Adam Zampa has been a key cog in Australia’s white-ball successes over the past few years. He continues to deliver consistent performances, underpinned by his ability to hit the right length time and again.
“Adam Zampa is such a key figure for them,” Smith said. “He looks like he’s bowling really well, the conditions will suit him and he’s been a stand-out player of the tournament so far.”
Zampa has been in the wickets in every game of the T20 World Cup to date. He took 2/24 against Oman followed by an impressive 2/28 that won him man of the match against England. He then won man of the match against Namibia (4/12) and finished the group stage with 1/30 against Scotland.
Zampa’s form is a reason why Smith believes Australia are the favourites. However, he provided a caveat that some teams had to play on the difficult surfaces at the Nassau County International Stadium in New York.
“I’d say Australia are looking like the favourites,” Smith said. “But it’s very difficult to judge teams that have been in New York. It’s so hard to know what kind of form they are in when playing in those conditions.
“At this stage, it’s just about small margins and getting the job done. If you get away with three wins and qualification like South Africa have, you’re over the moon.”
Australia are aiming to become the first team to hold all three major ICC titles simultaneously. They won both the World Test Championship and ODI World Cup in what was a magnificent 2023 for the men’s team.
