Aussie spinner Adam Zampa dismisses comparison with Shane Warne

Australian spinner Adam Zampa has asked the media not to liken him to legendary Shane Warne saying 'there's only ever going to be one Shane Warne'. The 24-year-old starred in the recently concluded 2016 edition of the Indian Premier League, picking up 12 wickets in just five games at an average of 9.58 and a strike rate of 8.5.

The leg-spinner grabbed everyone's eyeballs when he took six wickets for 19 runs against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, the second best figures by a bowler in IPL history. His bowling action and run-up have been compared to Warne, which have fuelled the comparison, something which Zampa does not really think about.

"There's only ever going to be one Shane Warne. The attributes he had, how strong he was, his leg-spinner was unbelievable and to be able to bowl the leg-spinner for as long as he did for five days for his whole career was something unbelievable," he said as quoted by Reuters.

"People do look at me and think I look a lot like him but I think the only thing that would be similar is the smoother run-up. It's a nice comparison but I don't really think about it that way."

Zampa's performances in the Big Bash League and IPL have paid off as he has been picked for Australia's squad for the triangular One Day International tournament in the Caribbean. He will most probably have to battle all-rounder Glenn Maxwell for a place in the playing XI against West Indies and South Africa.

The New South Welshman is also keen to secure a place in the test team and with the team set to tour India early next year, he is keen to impress.

"The white ball at the moment is probably something I'm concentrating on but if I keep improving, I feel like it doesn't matter what format you're playing."

Australia will be seen in action in June at the tri-series tournament featuring West Indies and South Africa. They are scheduled to play West Indies in their first game at Providence on 5 June.