Australia's premier white-ball spinner Adam Zampa has outlined his plans to be in top form for next year's World Cup title defence, starting with what he says is a vital one-day series against England.
Australia's recent ODI form has been sketchy, with series wins over Bangladesh and Zimbabwe bookmarked by losses to South Africa and Pakistan.
Legspinner Zampa, 34, was a star of the 2023 World Cup in India where he took 23 wickets, the most by any spinner. He was subsequently named in the ICC team of the tournament.
His 1-44 in the final played a big role in restricting the hosts to 240, which Australia chased in just 43 overs.
Zampa has been named in the ODI and T20 squads for eight matches against England, with the first of three one-dayers in Perth on November 13.
"This ODI series against England is important because we have had an up and down preparation with one-day cricket with the different squads that we have tried of late and we just haven't played to the best of our ability," Zampa told AAP.
"After these eight games there is not a whole heap of white-ball cricket for Australia until later in 2027, so forming combinations, working out our batting order and forming bowling combinations in particular is going to be important.
"Figuring out how we are going to attack the World Cup is important for the team."
Next year's World Cup in South Africa and Zimbabwe, which starts for Australia against India on October 7, will pose its own challenges.
"I've always had a tough time in some of the places in South Africa, so it was nice to get a series there (in September) and work out how I will go about it," Zampa said.
"I have been proud of how I perform in World Cups and make sure that I am purring for those.
"This will be no different. I will work hard physically and mentally to make sure I am up and about.
"We have got a T20 Top End series next year in Darwin and a three-game ODI series in Zimbabwe series before the World Cup, so we will have a good bit of cricket to make sure I am right to go.
"It will be nice to get this England series done and play the Big Bash and have some time off before the middle of next year where I will look at some white-ball tournaments ... probably the PSL (Pakistan Super League) and depending on availability, The Hundred."
Zampa will switch to the Hobart Hurricanes from the Melbourne Renegades this season.
"I have a good connection to the group with friends and a lot of guys I have played with before," he said.
"I played under our coach Jeff Vaughan at South Australia and have a good relationship with him, and (Australia teammates) Nathan Ellis and Tim David are both there.
"I have played a lot of cricket with Mitch Owen and Riley Meredith so that was huge in the decision. I feel like I am going to a team seamlessly.
"I also love Hobart and to travel around Tassie. It is a holiday destination for me too."
