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Smith, Jones offer opinions on Zampa

National captain liked what he saw last Sunday but ODI great wants a change

Leg-spinner Adam Zampa has received backing from skipper Steve Smith after he returned his worst ODI figures in Sunday’s series-opening loss to England.

But former Australia batsman Dean Jones would drop Zampa for Test off-spinner Nathan Lyon immediately as the Gillette ODI Series moves to Brisbane for Friday’s second match at the Gabba.

Zampa’s 0-72 from 10 overs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground were the most expensive in his 28-match one-day international career, but the numbers don’t tell the whole story.

Having been introduced in the 16th over by Smith with England rollicking along at 2-108, Zampa put the brakes on the tourists.

His first five overs went for 21 runs without conceding a boundary to drag Australia back into the match.

From his second ball of his sixth over he produced a googly that trapped high-flying opener Jason Roy lbw on 91, but the Englishman reviewed the decision and was spared by the third umpire. 

The next ball just cleared Aaron Finch on the long-on boundary as Roy rode his luck for the second time in as many balls.

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The right-hander produced a reverse-sweep for four before depositing a full toss to the rope in Zampa’s next over to end the leggie’s opening spell at 0-40 from seven overs.

When he was recalled in the 34th over, England were in full flight and on track for a record victory as Roy took Zampa for two fours and two sixes in his historic 180.

Despite what the figures may suggest, Smith was pleased with Zampa’s performance on Sunday night.

"Zamps I thought bowled reasonably well," Smith said. 

"(He didn't have) a bit of luck here and there. 

"A ball went just over one of our fielders for six and he had an lbw that was not out in the end. 

"But I thought he bowled pretty well. I'm sure he'll gain some confidence from that."

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After finishing 2016 as the world’s top ODI wicket-taker, Zampa was dropped on last September’s limited-overs tour of India but earned a recall when his replacement, Western Australian left-arm spinner Ashton Agar, was forced home with a broken finger.

Zampa called his axing as a "wake-up call" and is determined to cement his spot in the ODI outfit with the next World Cup in England and Wales 17 months away.

But Jones, who was at the MCG to witness England’s five-wicket win, said he would drop Zampa for Lyon, the off-spinner who hasn’t played an ODI since August 2016 in Sri Lanka and is seen as a Test specialist. 

"If you asked me right now who would I drop, I'd be dropping Zampa and bringing in Lyon, straight away," Jones told Optus Sport's Stumps.

"I think Lyon's only played 13 ODIs. Zamps is a good kid but he's not bowling the wrong ‘un enough and getting whacked a fair bit.

"The fact that (Lyon) gets overspin, he was picked originally in domestic cricket as a (short-form) specialist, people forget that. But that's not going to happen."

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 England won by five wickets at the MCG.

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