In an exclusive interview, Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa, who plays for the Oval Invincibles, shared his thoughts on The Hundred, his distinctive personality, and his summer plans in London.
Zampa, known for his unconventional style, expressed his genuine affection for The Hundred, stating it was a privilege to play for the Oval Invincibles. He emphasised his honesty about his feelings towards various competitions, noting his enjoyment of the tournament.
Renowned for his unique approach to life, Zampa, a vegan who enjoys cultural and spiritual pursuits, stands out among Australian cricketers. His offbeat lifestyle includes sporting a mullet, wearing dangly earrings, and avoiding golf—a popular pastime among his peers. His impressive career achievements include becoming the first Australian to take 100 T20I wickets, and his captain, Mitch Marsh, has described him as Australia's "most important player" in the format.
Zampa, who enjoys playing in England and loves the atmosphere at the Oval, is among the few high-profile players participating in this year's Hundred. He appreciates the format's subtle tactical differences, noting that it is not drastically different from T20 cricket and that its shorter duration makes it more fan-friendly. He prefers the game's shorter format, finding it better suited for both players and spectators.
This summer, Zampa is staying in London with his young family and will remain in England for Australia's white-ball tour in September. Unlike his compatriot Pat Cummins, who opted out of the Hundred to manage his workload, Zampa has chosen to participate, focusing more on representing Australia in white-ball cricket and scaling back on franchise commitments.
He acknowledged the financial discussions surrounding the tournament, understanding that it serves as a showcase for potential investors. However, he emphasised that his positive experience with The Hundred was what mattered to him.
Zampa, known for making his own choices and standing by them, shared that his attitude has been influenced by Larry David, creator of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "Seinfeld." He humorously mentioned having a tattoo of David holding two ICC World Cups with the caption "Pretty Good" on his thigh, reflecting David's influence on his life.
Despite any controversy surrounding The Hundred, Zampa sees it as an opportunity for players to experience a unique franchise format in England. He acknowledged that there will always be critics, but he remains enthusiastic about the tournament and its potential.