Australia white-ball specialist Adam Zampa has joined the Hobart Hurricanes on a two-year contract after ending his association with the Melbourne Renegades following BBL 15. The move will see the experienced legspinner represent his fifth Big Bash League (BBL) franchise, having previously played for the Sydney Thunder, Adelaide Strikers, Melbourne Stars and Renegades.

Zampa’s move comes as the BBL enters a new era in its player contracting system. The competition has scrapped the overseas players draft while giving franchises greater flexibility with their salary caps. The changes are expected to provide Australian players with more opportunities to negotiate improved contracts. However, Zampa believes overseas players could continue to benefit under the revised system.

“I think I was always playing the BBL. There’s obviously been a lot behind the scenes happening with overseas drafts and money, and the local players hoping for it to land somewhere in their favour. So there was always a little bit of that discussion happening in the background.” The Australia star admitted that the changes have not necessarily produced the outcome many domestic players expected. Nevertheless, he was pleased with his decision to join Hobart once the signing restrictions were lifted.

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“It’s probably not landed exactly where we thought it might. I think the overseas players are still getting the good end of the deal. But I’m happy with my decision. As soon as the embargo lifted, I was pretty keen to sign with Hobart. I think I’ve made a really good choice.”

For Adam Zampa, the decision was not driven solely by financial considerations. The people within the Hurricanes squad played a major role, with the spinner particularly attracted by the number of players he already knows from his time with Australia. “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 revealed that he spoke to Hurricanes captain Nathan Ellis before committing to the franchise. He believes Hobart’s squad closely resembles the environment he experiences with the Australian team. “I basically approached him (Hurricanes captain Nathan Ellis) 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 34-year-old also expects Hobart’s pace attack to complement his legspin. With Nathan Ellis and Riley Meredith leading the fast-bowling unit, Zampa believes he could benefit from having quality bowlers operating at the other end.

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“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.” Adam  Zampa arrives in Hobart with an impressive BBL record. He has taken 138 wickets in 121 matches, placing him sixth on the competition’s all-time wicket-taking list.