Having been overlooked for selection for Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka, Adam Zampa has warned young cricketers against chasing a career bowling leg spin.

Despite taking 297 wickets from 201 white ball appearances for Australia, selectors have instead opted for the uncapped Cooper Connolly, as well as Todd Murphy and Mitchell Swepson for the tour to Sri Lanka.

Zampa’s omission from the squad also came following an awkward back-and-forth between Cricket NSW and Cricket Australia over his controversial selection for a Sheffield Shield match.

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Speaking on Fox Cricket ahead of Sunday night’s Big Bash Melbourne derby between the Stars and Renegades, Zampa said he “doesn’t ever see” another wrist spinner enjoying a long Test career.

“I love watching wrist spin in Test cricket (but) there’s obviously not a lot of it,” he said.

“I remember Yasir Shah a decade ago, when he was at his best when he was spinning in Dubai or wherever he was bowling, it was really exciting to watch.

“In (Tests), when it’s spinning, accuracy is probably the most important thing, and with finger spin, that’s naturally their strength.

“I think the ability to hold up an end when other guys are attacking is also another option they bring to the table as well.

“I don’t know, I wouldn’t say if you’re a young leg spinner coming through, you’ll never play Test cricket, but I think if you were looking to play a lot of Test cricket as a leg spinner, I don’t ever see it happening.”

Mitch Swepson was the last wrist spinner to play Tests for Australia. His last of only four appearances to date came ironically in Sri Lanka in 2022.

Other wrist spinners selected since Shane Warne’s retirement in 2007 were Bryce McGain, who played his lone Test in Cape Town in 2009, and Steve Smith.

“I don’t think I ever had really high expectations (of selection). When you suss the numbers out between wrist spin and finger spin over there, it definitely leans more towards finger spin, but I was still hopeful,” Zampa said.

“That burning desire to play Test cricket was definitely still there – and if anywhere, I thought Sri Lanka was going to be the best option.”

In the BBL on Sunday, Zampa took 2-23 from 3.2 overs as the Stars claimed a 42-run win.

The Test series between Australia and Sri Lanka will kick off on January 29.

Australia’s Test squad for Sri Lanka

Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster.