Adam Zampa Joins Queensland Ahead of 2026-27 Season
Adam Zampa, an Australian leg-spinner, is slated to play domestic cricket for Queensland in 2026-27, beginning a new chapter in his domestic career.
However, his availability for the Brisbane Heat in the next Big Bash League (BBL) is questionable since the tournament remains under a contracting embargo while negotiating its player contracting procedures for the current season.
Zampa, who has a central contract with Cricket Australia (CA), has made few appearances in domestic cricket in recent years due to Australia’s busy international schedule and his commitments in franchise leagues throughout the world.
His availability was a source of concern during his time in New South Wales (NSW), when he returned in 2020 after seven seasons in South Australia.
The 34-year-old last played a Sheffield Shield match for NSW in 2024, a decision that prompted discussion among the state squad. NSW selector Stuart Clark said that Cricket Australia pushed for Zampa’s selection despite state selectors’ objections, while current head coach Brad Haddin questioned the decision.
Adam Zampa most recent List A performance for NSW was in the 2025 One-Day Cup, where he was complimented for standing aside in later games to give rookie leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha more opportunities.
Centrally contracted players are eligible to swap states with Cricket Australia’s sanction. Adam Zampa decision is comparable to that of Jake Weatherald, who moved from Tasmania to South Australia earlier this year.
Despite joining Queensland, Adam Zampa availability at the start of the domestic season is expected to be limited. Australia’s ODI trip of South Africa and Zimbabwe in September coincides with the start of the domestic championships, and a white-ball series against England in November may further limit his appearances.
His BBL future has yet to be determined. Adam Zampa is presently without a contract for the 2026-27 season, having previously played for the Melbourne Renegades, Melbourne Stars,
Adelaide Strikers, and Sydney Thunder. If he is awarded a No Objection Certificate (NOC), he might play in the SA20 after the BBL, which could keep him out of the One-Day Cup’s later stages.
Meanwhile, the BBL is scheduled to discontinue its overseas player draft after the 2026-27 season. The proposed reform would allow franchises to devote a larger amount of their salary limit to keeping and attracting local talent, addressing persistent concerns among Australian players about the league’s current compensation structure.
