Adam Zampa, a whisky connoisseur and vegan devotee, would rather people focus on his leg-spin box of tricks when Australia takes on New Zealand in the T20 World Cup final on Sunday.
Australia, which has won the 50-over World Cup a record five times, has never won the sport’s shortest format final in six attempts.
However, the baby-faced Zampa, who stands only 1.75m (5ft 7ins), is increasingly being tipped as the man who will end Australia’s drought.
The tournament’s second-highest wicket-taker is the 29-year-old wrist spinner.
His 12 victims in six games have cost him an average of 10.91 points and an impressive economy rate of only 5.69 points.
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Only Sri Lankan leg spinner Wanindu Hasaranga has more wickets in eight matches, with a 9.75 average and a 5.20 economy rate.
Zampa was instrumental in Australia’s semi-final victory over Pakistan, dismissing in-form skipper Babar Azam for 1-22 in four overs.
He had already scored a career-high 5-19 against Bangladesh in the group stage.
“I’ve always been underestimated,” said Zampa, who admits to benefiting from his low-key status.
“Even as a 15 or 16-year-old growing up in the country, there was always a city guy that’s better than me or there’s always been someone that turns their leg-spinner more than I do.
“Even after this tournament, there will be another series, and I will be underestimated once more.” “I thrive on it.”
Zampa may have arrived at the World Cup under the radar in comparison to high-profile players like David Warner, Steve Smith, and Mitchell Starc, but he is his own man.
Last year, during Australia’s limited-overs tour of England, he helped teammates cope with the rigors of bio-bubble life by sharing his love of whisky.
“We have a whisky club,” says one of the members. People will bring various bottles at night. Some people enjoy Japanese. Zampa told the BBC, “I like the Scottish Highlands.”
“Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc have begun to enjoy it, and a few other guys are dabbling.”
Zampa even has a whisky bottle tattooed on his wrist.
He has also switched to a vegan diet and has appeared in advertisements for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
“I’m not vegan to improve my performance,” he explained to the BBC.
“I did it because I love animals and care about the environment.” It comes naturally to me because I am passionate about it.”
Zampa is also fond of on-and-off hairstyles. He shaved his blond hair this year in the West Indies.
It was only the second time in his life that he had done something so drastic. He had his first close shave when he was eight years old.
“I went through a little phase of changing my hair color when I was eight years old,” he recalled.
“I used to have red hair, and when I went in the pool, it turned pink, and I cried until my mother shaved it off.”
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