New Delhi, Nov 18 (IANS) Former Australia captain Ian Chappell believes that if the Indian batsmen are able to handle leg-spinner Adam Zampa, they will be able to handle Glenn Maxwell in the men’s ODI World Cup final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday. Will have to bowl very well.

Zampa entered Sunday’s final as the tournament’s second-highest wicket-taker, taking 22 wickets at an average of 21.40 and an economy rate of 5.47. Maxwell, on the other hand, has an economy rate of 4.72 and also took impressive wicket figures of 4-40 against India in Rajkot in September.

Chappell told Wide World of Sports, “The Indians play spin very well and I think if they play intelligently they will probably handle Zampa very well, which means Maxwell will have to bowl really well.” I think Maxwell’s bowling has been very good so far, but he will have to maintain that level against India. I think if the Indians dominate Zampa, it will mean that Maxwell Will have to bowl really well.”

Talking further about Maxwell’s part-time off-spin bowling, Chappell said, “I think that’s a big part of his bowling, the thought he puts into it can be important. So that can be important. Especially if the Indians get hold of Zampa; they will really need something from Maxwell at the other end.”

In terms of fast bowling, Josh Hazlewood has been Australia’s best fast bowler in the tournament, taking 14 wickets at an average of 27.78 and an economy rate of 4.67. Mitchell Starc has taken 13 wickets at an average of 36.38 and an economy rate of 6.14, while captain Pat Cummins has taken 13 wickets at an average of 37 and an economy rate of 6.05.

Chappell concluded, “Australia’s strength is their fast bowling. So if you get the best from Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood, that’s a very good start. If you get good bowling from Zampa, that will be a bonus.” “

–IANS

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