Hurricanes land white-ball star Zampa in huge boost

Adam Zampa will play for a fifth Big Bash club this summer after Hobart Hurricanes landed the league's hottest free agent on a two-year deal.

The Australian white-ball star was the biggest name out of contract during the off-season after his Renegades contract expired at the end of BBL|15, with the Hurricanes edging out interest from Adelaide Strikers and Sydney Thunder.

Speaking to cricket.com.au, Zampa said the move to Tasmania came down to his appreciation for the players he's set to join on the Apple Isle.

"I think I'm at a time now where I need to consider the people that I need to be around when I'm playing my cricket," Zampa said.

"There were conversations that had happened with other teams, and basically once it came to crunch time with the embargo, (I had) conversations with Nathan Ellis (Hobart Hurricanes men's captain).

"I basically approached him about it because I looked at the lists and the group of people that are in most of the lists that were teams that I could go to, and I reckon Hobart made the most sense.

"They're a really good list with good people... it's going to feel like I'm going into the Australian team basically. There's six or seven blokes in there that I've played with before, so that was major in the decision."

The leg-spinner will join a rare club of three others to have represented five different BBL teams when he debuts for the Hurricanes in KFC BBL|16.

Hobart relied on overseas spinners Rishad Hossain and Rehan Ahmed last season, with Zampa to add much-needed local depth alongside allrounder Nikhil Chaudhary.

"In terms of walking onto the cricket field and having clarity in your role, I think Hobart was an easy decision as opposed to some of the other options where I wasn't completely sure as to how it would play out," Zampa said.

"I think I made a decision going to a team where I think I'll probably get more success. We will go well and I think it will help me get wickets too. When you know you've got Riley Meredith bowling down one end, Nathan Ellis down the other... it helps with your own personal success as well."

Five club BBL players (men)

Dan Christian: Heat, Hurricanes, Renegades, Sixers, Thunder

Chris Jordan: Strikers, Hurricanes, Scorchers, Sixers, Thunder

Josh Lalor: Heat, Renegades, Scorchers, Sixers, Thunder

New contracting rules introduced last week that removed the requirement for BBL clubs to sign at least one overseas player worth more than $300,000 per season helped the Hurricanes free up cap space to recruit Zampa.

With a star-studded list boasting fellow Australian internationals Tim David, Nathan Ellis and Beau Webster, the 'Canes appear well placed to push for a second men's title in three years after falling short in last season's Challenger final against Sydney Sixers.

Zampa spent three seasons at the 'Gades after being traded from Melbourne Stars in 2023 in a swap that saw BBL|15 player of the tournament Sam Harper return to his first BBL club.

A veteran of 121 appearances to date, the 34-year-old's Big Bash career began at the Thunder in BBL|02, before moving to the Strikers (BBL|03-|04), the Stars (BBL|05-|12), and most recently the Renegades (BBL|13-|15).

He is the sixth highest wicket-taker in the competition's history with 138 at an exceptional economy rate of 7.27. He's also easily Australia's most prolific men's bowler in T20 internationals with 147 scalps in 115 matches.

Zampa also has a new state base for the 2026-27 domestic season, switching his allegiance from NSW to Queensland to allow him greater flexibility and proximity for training given he lives near Byron Bay with his young family.

Hobart Hurricanes

Contracted for BBL|16: Nikhil Chaudhary (BBL|17), Tim David (BBL|16), Nathan Ellis (BBL|17), Ben McDermott (BBL|17), Riley Meredith (BBL|17), Mitch Owen (BBL|17), Billy Stanlake (BBL|16), Matthew Wade (BBL|16), Jake Weatherald (BBL|16), Beau Webster (BBL|17), Adam Zampa (BBL|17)

 

Uncontracted: Rehan Ahmed (England), Marcus Bean, Jackson Bird, Hugo Burdon, Iain Carlisle, Rishad Hossain (Bangladesh), Chris Jordan (England), Will Prestwidge, Charlie Wakim, Tim Ward, Mac Wright

 

Head coach: Jeff Vaughan