Why Adam Zampa Left NSW for Queensland This Season?

Adam Zampa switches to Queensland; his BBL future remains unresolved.

Zampa’s Surprise Switch

Adam Zampa has undertaken many a road trip in the name of cricket, but this one stands out. The Australian white-ball spinner has defied expectations to sign with Queensland for the 2026-27 domestic season, a move sanctioned by Cricket Australia which has seen him switch states for a third time in his career.

But the bigger question, of course, is where he will turn up for the BBL, and if he will even play.

Byron Bay Logic

The move is, in fact, rather logical despite his surprise, given that Zampa’s preferred base is Byron Bay on the northern border of NSW and Queensland, meaning Brisbane is a much shorter drive than Sydney.

His shift from New South Wales to Queensland is also a more pragmatic move than it initially appeared, given that in recent years he has had very few opportunities to play for NSW, which are more competitive in the Baggy Greens’ Sheffield Shield and One-Day Cup competitions. His sole appearance for NSW in 2024 in the latter competition in particular drew criticism from within the state.

Stepping aside

At the same time, it is impossible to ignore the fact that Zampa has been very considerate of NSW’s selectors and his own legion of fans. At the end of his List A campaign for NSW in the most recent One-Day Cup, he was widely praised for showing great sporting integrity by allowing the emerging leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha to stake his claim on the NSW XI.

It is notable that in his One-Day Cup match against Victoria at the MCG in late October 2024, Zampa was replaced early by his successor as the premier NSW spinner and finished the year with just two List A appearances for his state.

New Beginnings

Queensland are now set to become Adam Zampa’s third state after South Australia earlier in his career, with the off-spinner arriving as one of four Cricket Australia contract players with Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Swepson and Xavier Bartlett.

Zampa has been in the Bulls’ sights ever since the club’s high-performance staff felt his experience would be a great asset despite knowing his appearances would be limited by his international commitments. He has signed with Queensland for a further two seasons.

BBL?

The bigger question, of course, is where the left-arm orthodox spinner will play in the BBL. His contract with Melbourne Renegades expired at the end of last season, and he is viewed as one of the market’s top free agents with the player movement window open for the first time since before the pandemic.

His switch from NSW to Queensland has inevitably led to questions about his availability for the Brisbane Heat. However, nothing has been confirmed as yet amidst the BBL’s ongoing embargo on player contracts for the 2025 season.

Changing of the guard

Meanwhile, the BBL’s shifting regulations regarding the local draft and overseas players have been the subject of much discussion, with it being speculated that the removal of the overseas draft could in fact help balance the budget equation for clubs with marquee players such as Zampa, who may require preferential treatment to help fill a salary cap void created when his country’s contracts expire.

It must also be noted that while Zampa will most certainly want to spend as much time as possible with his family in Byron Bay, his domestic and international commitments may dictate otherwise.

With Australia set to undertake an ODI tour of South Africa and Zimbabwe at the beginning of next year, followed by a white-ball series against England, there may be less time for the 32-year-old to spend in Queensland, as well as the possibility of a lucrative SA20 stint during the twilight of his career.

As ever, the game waits for no man. If and when Zampa’s BBL future becomes clearer, we will no doubt be sure to share the news with you.

For now, stay tuned to the Brisbane Heat’s socials, as there are most certainly more surprises to come.