Melbourne Stars stand-in skipper Adam Zampa has made a shock move to request a trade to cross-town rivals, the Melbourne Renegades
Zampa, Harper set for shock BBL trade
Melbourne Stars leg-spinner Adam Zampa is set to be traded to the Melbourne Renegades for KFC BBL|13, with the 30-year-old requesting a trade to the cross-town rivals when the official trade window opens.
The surprise move would see Zampa, who captained the club this season in the absence of the injured Glenn Maxwell, swapped for Renegades wicketkeeper Sam Harper, the clubs have confirmed.
It comes despite the Australia white-ball regular signing on with the Stars until the end of BBL|14 in September last year.
No trade can be processed during Cricket Australia’s contracting embargo period which is currently underway however clubs can make non-binding agreements with players until the embargo ends.
"The League is aware of the discussions between the Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades regarding Adam Zampa and Sam Harper," a BBL spokesperson said.
"Both clubs understand no binding agreements can be made until the end of Cricket Australia’s embargo period, which came into effect at the beginning of the BBL|12 final."
It means Zampa could stay at the Stars should the trade not come to fruition, however it is expected the player swap will take place, with Stars General Manager Blair Crouch saying that the decision would open a wide range of options for the club moving forward.
"This trade would allow us to target several other quality players, and we look forward to making a number of announcements regarding new signings once the contracting window re-opens," he said in a statement.
The shock swap comes as the Stars finished BBL|12 on the bottom of the table, winning just three games in another disappointing campaign.
The Renegades will become Zampa's fourth club after initially starting out at the Sydney Thunder, before moving on to the Adelaide Strikers.
He then joined the Stars ahead of the BBL|05 season, where he became a fan favourite, while his international career also took off upon his switch to the MCG-based side.
Harper meanwhile, will return to the club that gave him his first taste of the Big Bash back in 2016.
The 26-year-old enjoyed a return to form in BBL|12, striking three consecutive half-centuries through the middle of the season as the Renegades returned to finals.