Australian star white ball leg spinner Adam Zampa is reportedly in contention to be picked for Australia's four-Test trip to India early next year, while young Victorian Todd Murphy will reportedly be the first man picked if Nathan Lyon suffers an injury this summer.
While the squad for the home summer of cricket, which will see Australia take on the West Indies in two Tests, and South Africa in three, seems to be more or less set in stone, things are far less secure for the Border-Gavaskar trophy series in India next year.
With pitches that will likely take turn, as they traditionally do in the sub-continent, Australia will more often than not play two spin options, giving Nathan Lyon a back up, while also relying on Cameron Green to play the role of a third quick alongside two of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and team captain Pat Cummins.
It has been speculated that Adam Zampa or Mitch Swepson could be the most likely options, however, News Corp are reporting that Adam Zampa, who hasn't played a red ball fixture since 2019, could be in line for a spot.
He is set to play for New South Wales against Victoria in a Sheffield Shield fixture in early December in what could pose as his only red ball game prior to selection.
Despite that, it's reported selectors view his big game experience and accuracy as a major benefit, and could favour him over Swepson, who is the incumbent to partner Lyon after playing on tours of Pakistan and Sri Lanka earlier this year.
Zampa averages 48.26 with the ball in first class cricket across his 38 matches, but has previously stated he has a desire to play the five-day format.
“In terms of Test cricket and having that burning desire, it's definitely still there,” Zampa told SEN Radio late last year.
“It's difficult, but I think my best way into that team is doing my best in white ball cricket and you know, if you want someone that can bowl under pressure and has done it at international level then that's me.
It's understood that none of Zampa, Swepson or Agar will be considered as the first-choice spinner this summer though if Nathan Lyon suffers an injury, or if his form erodes.
Instead, Victorian young gun Todd Murphy, who is only 22, could make his Test debut.
He has played just five first-class matches, but will play for the Prime Minister's XI next week in Canberra, and toured Sri Lanka with Australia A before the home summer got underway.
Murphy has taken 19 wickets at 29.68 in those five first-class matches, taking four wickets in an innings twice.
The Test summer gets underway with the first Test against the West Indies in Perth on November 30.
