Melbourne Stars bowler Adam Zampa continues to contemplate withdrawing from the Big Bash season as the lengthy campaign and ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to take their toll on the Australian leg-spinner.
The 29-year-old was absent for two matches in recent weeks after the Stars were struck by a bout of the virus which placed as many as 12 players on the sidelines under the league's health and safety protocols.
Having since made his return to the domestic competition after serving his time in isolation, Zampa has been able to open up on his experience in balancing the league's bubble restrictions and continuing to play at the professional level this season.
The Aussie World Cup hero revealed that he has begun to contemplate whether playing out the remainder of the Big Bash season is worth the impacts on his mental health.
“I considered last week several times to get out of isolation and go home, that crossed my mind,” Zampa said on Monday night.
“It changes every day, I’m still not writing it off. I’m always going to put my mental health first. If I feel like I’m ever going to walk out, play a game of professional cricket and I’m not up for it, then I know I need some time away.
“It’s a bit of a relief just to be playing cricket again. You obviously go through a mix of emotions finding out you’ve got Covid, knowing you have to spend a week (isolating) and then try and get up to playing professional cricket again.
“A few of the boys are still feeling pretty flat tonight. Personally, it’s taken it out of me tonight.”
The Stars were able to leapfrog the Adelaide Strikers on Monday night and rise off the foot of the BBL ladder, claiming their fourth win of the season with a five-wicket victory.
Consecutive matches with compromised squads saw the Stars anchored to eighth place, with the return of Zampa and other key figures buoying their prospects for the remainder of the campaign.
While the positive signs begin to emerge for the Stars, their star leg spinner continues to wish an earlier finish was on the cards for the Big Bash season.
“Big Bash used to be a great time, a very good time, and unfortunately with the world as it is at the moment, it’s getting a lot harder, the season’s probably too long, and it definitely feels like it’s dragging on again," Zampa added.
“I’m definitely personally going through periods where it’s feeling tougher than usual to get up for.
“When it was an eight-game season it actually felt like the cricket was more competitive because you had to play well straight away.
“We know we’ve got like five games in the next eight days as well, so it’s a really big ask, so it’s hard to get up for.”
Several Big Bash clubs have been forced to bid farewell to local players as the league enters a biosecurity bubble in Victoria, with Renegades weapon James Pattinson, Hurricanes opener Matthew Wade and Stars keeper Peter Nevill opting not to relocate.
The Stars will welcome international stars Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell for Tuesday's clash against ladder leaders the Perth Scorchers in Geelong, as finals remain in reach for the Melbourne franchise as they hold games in hand.
