Adam Zampa Joins Hobart Hurricanes for BBL 2026-27
Adam Zampa, the most decorated spinner in Big Bash history, is on the move again. This time, he’s heading south.
The 34-year-old has signed with Hobart Hurricanes for BBL 2026-27, crossing from Melbourne Renegades via the league’s free-agent market in a statement move that sharpens an already formidable Hurricanes attack for the next two seasons.
This is no journeyman pickup. Zampa is Australia’s leading T20I wicket-taker and the benchmark for spinners in the Big Bash. His numbers are granite-strong: 138 wickets in 121 BBL matches at an economy rate of 7.28. In a format that punishes the slightest error, he has built a career on control and nerve.
Hobart will be his fifth BBL home after previous stints with Sydney Thunder, Adelaide Strikers, Melbourne Stars and the Renegades. Few players know this competition better. Even fewer have bent it to their will as often.
"I'm really excited to be joining the Hurricanes. It's a strong squad that has enjoyed plenty of success over the past couple of seasons and I'm looking forward to getting down to Hobart and being part of it," Zampa said, outlining both the appeal of the move and the expectations that come with it.
There is also a familiar face waiting for him in purple.
“I’ve known Nath [Ellis] for a long time and we’ve played a lot of cricket together, so the opportunity to link up with him at the Hurricanes was definitely something that appealed to me. There’s a lot of quality in the group and hopefully I can come in, play my role and help the team have another successful season.”
For Hobart, this is the kind of signing that shifts conversations in dressing rooms and opposition meetings alike.
Cricket Tasmania General Manager of High Performance Salliann Beams did not underplay the significance.
"Adam was arguably the biggest name available on the market, and we're thrilled that he has chosen to join the Hurricanes.
"His record speaks for itself. He's Australia's leading T20I wicket-taker, the most successful spinner the Big Bash has seen and has performed at the highest level of the game for a long period of time."
The Hurricanes already boast an imposing pace core. Nathan Ellis, Riley Meredith and Billy Stanlake bring speed, variation and experience. Zampa adds something different: a world-class wrist-spinner who can dictate tempo in the middle overs and drag games back from the brink.
“We already have an outstanding bowling group led by Nathan Ellis, Riley Meredith and Billy Stanlake, and adding someone with Adam's experience and skillset gives us another genuine world-class option.
“Importantly, Adam knows the Big Bash incredibly well. He understands the competition, he understands how to perform in different conditions and he has shown throughout his career that he can have an impact in the crucial moments. To be able to add a player of his quality to the group is a significant result for the Hurricanes and we're really excited to see what he can bring to the team."
For a club that has often threatened to crack the code without quite breaking through to a title, this feels like a calculated push. A proven match-winner, a seasoned reader of T20 pressure, and a bowler who relishes the ball when the game tightens.
Hobart now know they can throw Zampa the ball when the season is on the line. The real question is how far that trust can carry them.
