Zampa resolved after ODI wake-up call

Adam Zampa says the "wake-up call" of being dropped on Australia's tour of India has strengthened his resolve to re-establish himself as Australia's No.1 one-day spinner.

Having been Australia's frontline ODI spinner for 18 months since his debut in early 2016, Zampa was axed after just one game of the recent Indian series and replaced by Western Australian Ashton Agar.

The move came as a shock, even to Agar himself, who had declared before the series began that he believed he was the No.2 spinner in the squad and would play only if conditions called for a two-man spin attack.

Zampa earned a reprieve when Agar returned home after the third match of the series due to a broken finger, but the leg-spinner's series analysis (four wickets at 47 and an economy rate of almost seven) meant he was no certainty to be picked for the Gillette ODI Series against England, which starts on Sunday.

But having edged out Agar for the five-match campaign, Zampa said the pressure of holding onto his spot will help as he looks ahead to Australia's World Cup defence next year.

"It was definitely a wake-up call," Zampa said of the Indian tour.

"I'm really keen to get out there and show that I've been working on a few things. My variations and things like that, I feel like they're coming out well.

"I really want to cement my spot in this team. I feel like I'm on edge a little bit at the moment and I think that's probably a good thing.

"I think I perform at my best when there's guys trailing me, like Ash, who's bowling really well with the white ball.

"I think if anything, that'll really help me."

With five frontline quicks in Australia's 14-man squad, whether or not Zampa actually plays in this series will be determined by conditions.

The 25-year-old was picked for just three of eight ODIs on home soil last year as selectors played to Australia's strengths, opting predominantly for four frontline quicks with the off-spin of Travis Head providing a slow-bowling option.

But with one or possibly both of pace-bowling allrounders Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stoinis set to play in the middle order, the Aussies will be flush with fast-bowling options and Zampa may be preferred as one of four main bowlers.

The leggie has long accepted that he will only play in Australia if conditions call for a frontline spinner, but he maintains he can thrive on all surfaces.

"I've played a lot of Big Bash (games) on pretty flat surfaces, like the MCG and Adelaide Oval when I was at the Strikers," he said.

"So I do back myself in any conditions. But the feedback is, and I'm used to it now, that if conditions suit I'll play and if not then I won't."

Zampa was one of six Australians who trained at the MCG on Thursday as the bulk of Australia's squad arrived in Melbourne following their Ashes win in Sydney.

Zampa joined uncapped pace duo Andrew Tye and Jhye Richardson as well as Head, Stoinis and Aaron Finch in the MCG nets, with the whole squad expected to train on Friday.

2017-18 International Fixtures

Gillette ODI Series v England

Australia ODI squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye, Cameron White, Adam Zampa.

England ODI squad: Eoin Morgan (c), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Alex Hales, Dawid Malan, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.

First ODI MCG, January 14. Tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Tickets

Fifth ODI Perth Stadium, January 28. Tickets

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Tickets

Gillette T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

England T20 squad: Eoin Morgan (c), Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Dawid Malan, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, David Willey, Mark Wood.

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Tickets

Second T20I Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Tickets

Third T20I Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Tickets

Fourth T20I NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final TBC, Eden Park, February 21