Adam Zampa

Zampa returns as Australia name squad for New Zealand and Zimbabwe

Adam Zampa

Zampa sat out the recent tour of Sri Lanka as he welcomed his first child into the world, but the talented leg-spinner has been named in a strong squad for the matches in Queensland in August and September.

Australia will play three matches against trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand in Townsville, before a trio of matches against Zimbabwe in Cairns.

Zampa delivers yet again

Test skipper Pat Cummins will be rested for the matches as he prepares for the upcoming Australian summer of cricket, while left-handed batter Travis Head will also be sidelined as he awaits the birth of his first child.

Alongside the recall for Zampa, Australia have also included pacer Sean Abbott and fellow spinner Ashton Agar after the duo injured themselves during the Sri Lanka tour.

Mitchell Swepson, Josh Inglis, Jhye Richardson and Matthew Kuhnemann have all been dropped from the squad that lost the ODI series 3-2 to Sri Lanka, with veteran batter Aaron Finch once again named to captain the Australia side.

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National selector and former Australia batter George Bailey believes the upcoming matches against New Zealand and Zimbabwe will provide the team with a good challenge ahead of a busy period of cricket.

"These series against New Zealand, the world’s no.1 ranked ODI side, and Zimbabwe will be good contests, providing an opportunity to play some great cricket in the lead up to the home summer," Bailey said.

"The team is excited to be marking the start of a huge summer with these matches in North Queensland."

Australia ODI squad: Aaron Finch (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa

Schedule for New Zealand:

August 28: Riverway Stadium, Townsville
August 31: Riverway Stadium, Townsville
September 3: Riverway Stadium, Townsville

Schedule for Zimbabwe:

September 6: Cazaly Stadium, Cairns
September 8: Cazaly Stadium, Cairns
September 11: Cazaly Stadium, Cairns