Adam Zampa admits being dropped from the Australian one-day team was the wake-up call he needed as he prepares to enter the World Cup as the side's chief spinner.
Zampa has endured a difficult 15 months that saw him overlooked for last year's one-day tour of England and getting just one match in the home series against India.
The South Australian took just two wickets in six ODIs in 2018, going at almost a run-a-ball as Australia struggled to settle on their spinning options.
But he has seemingly found form at the right time headed into the World Cup in England, where he's expected to start ahead of Nathan Lyon when only one spinner is picked.
"I was disappointed," Zampa said of his demotion last year.
"I was the leading wicket-taker in the world in the first year of my career.
"I think as a young guy you can probably take it for granted a bit and think the way you're doing things is the way to go and if you keep doing it this way it'll turn around.
"But I've found that's not the way it works unfortunately. I was disappointed that I was out of the thinking but it was actually really good for me."
With his career at a crossroads, Zampa's revival came in March's away series against India and Pakistan.
The 27-year-old took 18 wickets across the 10 matches, boosting his confident and ensuring he will be picked to play the Cup opener against Afghanistan in Bristol on Saturday.
"I'm never too hard on myself, which makes it a little bit easier I guess," he said.
"I might be biased but I think bowling legspin is one of the toughest things you can do.
"I think that's really simplified it. In that Indian tour I actually didn't feel like I was at my best for the first three games.
"Then in the last two (I improved) ... It was just preparation and a few things like that.
"I was over-complicating it and simplified it that's what I'm really focusing on at the moment."
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